Jean-Eric Vergne is a French racing driver best known for his Formula One career with Scuderia Toro Rosso from 2012 to 2014, and for becoming Formula E’s first double champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2017–18 and 2018–19 with Techeetah. In 2025, he raced for DS Penske in Formula E and Peugeot in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
| Nationality | French |
|---|---|
| Born | Jean-Éric Serge Raymond Vergne 25 April 1990 Pontoise, France |
Often referred to by his initials JEV, Vergne was part of the Red Bull Junior Team and once considered a likely future driver for Red Bull Racing. Though he narrowly missed a promotion to the senior team, Vergne found redemption in E-racing and endurance, where his raw speed made him one of the most respected drivers of his generation.
Early Career and Rise Through the Ranks
Vergne began karting at the age of four, rising quickly through the ranks of French motorsport. He became French Formula Renault Campus champion in 2007, moved into Formula Renault 2.0, and then won the British Formula 3 Championship in 2010 with Carlin. His runner-up finish in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series behind Robert Wickens, again with Carlin, propelled him to the brink of Formula One.
Formula One Career
Testing and Development Roles: 2010–2011
Vergne first tested an F1 car at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving a Red Bull RB5. Later that year, he tested with Toro Rosso at the Yas Marina young driver test, and impressed with competitive lap times.
In 2011, Red Bull began preparing Vergne for a race seat. He participated in Friday practice sessions at Korea, Abu Dhabi, and Brazil, and tested the championship-winning Red Bull RB7 at the 2011 young driver test, where he set the fastest time on all three days—a significant statement of intent.
Toro Rosso: 2012–2014
2012: Rookie Season
Vergne joined Toro Rosso for the 2012 season, alongside fellow Red Bull junior Daniel Ricciardo. He made an impressive debut in Australia, finishing just outside the points in 11th, and scored his first points with eighth place in Malaysia. Despite an accident with Heikki Kovalainen in Valencia that earned him a 10-place grid penalty and a fine, he recorded four top-10 finishes and ended the season 17th in the standings with 16 points—ahead of Ricciardo.
2013: Flashes of Promise
Vergne started strong with a sixth-place finish in Canada, still the best finish of his F1 career, and added an eighth-place finish in Monaco. However, the second half of the season saw a drop in competitiveness and reliability. Vergne ended the year 15th in the standings with 13 points, outscored by Ricciardo, who earned a Red Bull Racing promotion for 2014.
2014: Outperforming Expectations
With Daniil Kvyat replacing Ricciardo, Vergne began the season strongly, qualifying sixth in Australia and finishing eighth. Though plagued by retirements and misfortune early in the season, he bounced back mid-year with a string of strong performances, including:
- 8th in Canada
- 10th at Silverstone
- 9th in Hungary (after running as high as second)
- 6th in Singapore, matching his career-best, despite serving two time penalties
In Japan, he climbed from 20th to 9th, and delivered consistently strong qualifying performances throughout the second half of the year. Vergne scored 22 points in 2014, outperforming rookie teammate Kvyat and finishing 13th in the standings.
Despite his performances, Red Bull opted for Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at Toro Rosso for 2015, leaving Vergne without a seat.
Post-F1 Career
Ferrari Test and Development Role: 2015–2016
After his F1 exit, Vergne joined Scuderia Ferrari as a test and development driver, focusing primarily on simulator work. Though never called to race, he played a quiet but important role during Sebastian Vettel’s early years at the team.
Formula E Stardom
Vergne joined Formula E in its inaugural 2014–15 season, and by 2017, had signed with Techeetah, where his career flourished.
- 2017–18: Vergne won the Formula E Championship, clinching the title at the New York ePrix.
- 2018–19: Successfully defended his crown, becoming the first double champion in Formula E history.
- Across multiple seasons, he scored wins in Santiago, Punta del Este, Rome, and Monaco, among others.
- By 2025, Vergne remains the only driver to win consecutive Formula E titles, and has become the series’ all-time leader in championship points.
Endurance Racing and Peugeot WEC Role
Since 2022, Vergne has raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Peugeot Sport, initially driving the 9X8 hypercar in the WEC Hypercar class. Though wins proved elusive early on, Peugeot developed into a consistent challenger by 2024.
Vergne has also raced in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he has competed in both LMP1 and Hypercar classes.
Jean-Eric Vergne Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 2012-2014 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Toro Rosso |
| Driver number | 25 |
| Entries | 58 (58 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 51 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 2012 Australian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
Jean-Eric Vergne Teammates
| 5 drivers | Involvement | First Year | Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaime Alguersuari | 3 | 2011 | |
| Sébastien Buemi | 3 | 2011 | |
| Daniel Ricciardo | 39 | 2012 | 2013 |
| Daniil Kvyat | 21 | 2013 | 2014 |
| Max Verstappen | 3 | 2014 |
Complete Formula One Results
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Scuderia Toro Rosso | Toro Rosso STR6 | Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 | AUS | MAL | CHN | TUR | ESP | MON | CAN | EUR | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | SIN | JPN | KOR TD | IND | ABU TD | BRA TD | – | – | |
| 2012 | Scuderia Toro Rosso | Toro Rosso STR7 | Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 | AUS 11 | MAL 8 | CHN 16 | BHR 14 | ESP 12 | MON 12 | CAN 15 | EUR Ret | GBR 14 | GER 14 | HUN 16 | BEL 8 | ITA Ret | SIN Ret | JPN 13 | KOR 8 | IND 15 | ABU 12 | USA Ret | BRA 8 | 17th | 16 |
| 2013 | Scuderia Toro Rosso | Toro Rosso STR8 | Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 | AUS 12 | MAL 10 | CHN 12 | BHR Ret | ESP Ret | MON 8 | CAN 6 | GBR Ret | GER Ret | HUN 12 | BEL 12 | ITA Ret | SIN 14 | KOR 18 † | JPN 12 | IND 13 | ABU 17 | USA 16 | BRA 15 | 15th | 13 | |
| 2014 | Scuderia Toro Rosso | Toro Rosso STR9 | Renault Energy F1‑2014 1.6 V6 t | AUS 8 | MAL Ret | BHR Ret | CHN 12 | ESP Ret | MON Ret | CAN 8 | AUT Ret | GBR 10 | GER 13 | HUN 9 | BEL 11 | ITA 13 | SIN 6 | JPN 9 | RUS 13 | USA 10 | BRA 13 | ABU 12 | 13th | 22 |
TD – Test Driver
