FE champion Vergne open to top three F1 team offer

Two-time FIA Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne says he would consider a return to Formula 1, but only with a team that could fight for wins and titles. 

DS Techeetah’s Vergne secured his second FE drivers’ title at last weekend’s 2018/19 season finale in New York to become the series’ first-ever repeat champion, having successfully defended his crown from the previous campaign. 

Last year, Vergne revealed to Crash.net that he had received an approach from an F1 team regarding a race seat for the 2019 season, having last raced in the championship in 2014.
 
“I remember last year what I said, but I think if there is an opportunity in a team that has a good car, I think with everything I’ve learnt in the last years and how much I’ve improved, I think it would be fair to say that I could have a good chance in F1,” Vergne told Crash.net. 

“Or at least I would give it a good try. But the opportunity does not exist yet. We never know what the future is made of - maybe it will happen, maybe it will never happen. But it could be an option, it could be a possibility.

“Realistically, I have no offer so it’s not on the table, it’s not even a possibility right now. But things can change quickly in motorsport and it’s always important to be on top of your form at every given moment.

“There is a lot of ifs and maybes, but I don’t know what is going to happen in the Formula 1 world but I know what is happening in my world in Formula E and I think it’s great at the moment.

“I have a good deal with my team for a few years, I have a fantastic team. I know that they are always going to give me one of the best cars on the grid and as a driver that is what you want.”

Asked if it would take a top-three F1 team for him to consider leaving FE, Vergne replied: “Probably yes.

“I have been in a midfield team when I was a young driver and I understand this is where you have to go and prove yourself, but when you are at my age, we don’t have time anymore to prove yourself in a midfield F1 team.

“It doesn’t really interest me in fighting for eighth or ninth, or sometimes the points, sometimes not the points. I wouldn’t like to go back and join the situation I was in F1.

“I’m a lot happier in Formula E fighting for the titles, for wins, being in a top team in a championship that is growing massively.

“Who knows where Formula E is going to be in three years but I’m not in the worst situation that’s for sure.

“If I had - and it’s a massive if - an offer from one of the top F1 teams then I would definitely consider it, but as I said, I don’t receive anything.”

Vergne, who previously raced for Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso between 2012 and 2014, added he is “aware of the situation” at the Milton Keynes squad amid a difficult start to the season for Pierre Gasly, but backed his fellow countryman to turn around his form.

“I hope that Pierre, who is a very fast driver - and I don’t know what is going wrong for him at the moment - but I sure hope for him that he will be able to turn his season around and start giving a hard time to Max [Verstappen]," Vergne said.