Tag: Jean-Eric Vergne

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Formula 1 Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso rallies to sign Sainz Jr for 2015

Carlos Sainz Jr

Fresh from his 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 championship and a day of testing with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi this week Carlos Sainz Jr has landed himself a drive with Toro Rosso in 2015.

Amazingly the 20-year-old will be the elder statesman at Toro Rosso next year, joining 17-year-old Max Verstappen. In a pleasing quirk, both men boys are sons of famous motorsport fathers. Carlos, the son of dual World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz and Max, the son of Formula 1 journeyman Jos Verstappen.

“I am really happy to have landed the drive with Scuderia Toro Rosso,” Sainz Jr said. “Ever since I have been part of Red Bull’s Young Driver Programme, this has been my aim and I want to thank Red Bull for putting their faith in me.

“I have had a very successful season in World Series by Renault this year and now I am looking forward to taking the step up to Formula 1. I tested for a day with Toro Rosso last year and I liked the atmosphere in the team.

“In the next few months I will be working hard on my preparation, ready to get in the cockpit in Jerez for the first test of next year. It will be nice to make my ‘official’ debut as a Formula 1 driver in my home country!”

Earlier this week Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso driver in 2013 and 2014, confirmed via twitter that he would not be continuing with the team next year.

[Pics: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

Continue reading “Toro Rosso rallies to sign Sainz Jr for 2015”
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Formula 1 Toro Rosso

17yo Max Verstappen to drive for Toro Rosso

Max Verstappen

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
– Ferris Bueller, 17

First of all, I would like to thank Dr. Helmut Marko and Red Bull for all their trust and giving me the chance to make my Formula debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso. Ever since I was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true.
– Max Verstappen, 16

Max Verstappen, son of Jos the Boss, and currently just 16 years of age will replace Jean-Eric Vergne at Toro Rosso in 2015. He will be 17 and 167 days old when the Australian Grand Prix is held on 15 March next year, comfortably the eldest boy youngest man to race in Formula 1.

Previously, Jaime Alguersuari held the title of youngest man in F1 when he made his debut at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, aged 19 years and 125 days.

This time last year Verstappen Jr was still racing karts. He graduated to Formula 3 with Dutch team Van Amersfoort Racing at the start of this season and scored a podium during his debut race weekend at Silverstone. He’s since added eight victories from his 27 starts to date, included in that haul was a run of six consecutive wins.

All very impressive no doubt, but F1 won’t be an easy step and it will be fascinating to see what the latest Red Bull protege can bring to the sport.

You only have to look at the soon-to-be-discarded Jean-Eric Vergne to see that you don’t get much time to shine.

[Source: Toro Rosso]

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Formula 1 Toro Rosso

2014 Toro Rosso STR9 revealed

2014 Toro Rosso STR9

The 2014 Formula 1 season is almost upon us. This we know by the recent car launches, but also because the 2014 Toro Rosso F1 car, the STR9, was unveiled to the media at the Jerez circuit ahead of tonight’s first official test session.

And we’re sorry to report it’s another long and droopy anteater nose for F1. At least the STR9’s dark blue paint scheme tends to mask that fact to some degree.

As well as the major aero changes forced upon teams in 2014, Toro Rosso is switching from Ferrari power to Renault. Technical Director James Key says this adds to the challenge: “Changing your engine partner is always a bit of a step into the unknown for both parties, until that working relationship is established and everyone understands how best to operate together.”

The Toro Rosso press release points out that the team is independent to Red Bull Racing, although the switch to Renault power means there will be greater opportunity to share knowledge.

“Immediately, there’s a synergy there because we are using the same power unit,” added Key. “We’ve been able to join with Red Bull Technology in using their gearbox internals. They have a well-engineered solution to 2014 regulations for these components, so again, it makes sense for us to join with them in using those common internals while running the same power train.

“Otherwise, obviously, the rest of the car is entirely an STR design.”

You can read and see more after the break, including access to the team’s full 2014 press kit.

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Formula 1

Formula 1’s lucky numbers

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

As the new F1 season draws near we can start getting all excited about the numbers the drivers will choose in this new era of permanent numbers.

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen wants number 7 apparently. But so does Jules Bianchi. A bitch fight to settle it perhaps?

Other numbers nominated to date include:

  • Fernando Alonso (14)
  • Valtteri Bottas (77)
  • Jenson Button (22)
  • Romain Grosjean (8)
  • Kevin Magnussen (20)
  • Felipe Massa (19)
  • Sergio Perez (11)
  • Nico Rosberg (6)
  • Jean-Eric Vergne (25)

It’s not known yet if Daniel Ricciardo has selected a preference. Do you think he will stick with the number 19 he raced with in 2013 or choose something new?

We wonder, if our Mark was still in F1 if he would choose number 2, just for a laugh?

[Source: Planet F1 | Pic: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]