Ferrari announced on Friday that former Toro Rosso Formula One driver Jean-Eric Vergne will join the team as a test driver for 2015. Vergne, who raced for Toro Rosso from 2012 to 2014, will work on car development in the Ferrari simulator along with newly-appointed test and third driver Esteban Gutiérrez. Former test driver Pedro de la Rosa will leave the team at the end of this year.
“On behalf of the entire team, I welcome Jean-Eric, who I’m sure will make an important contribution to our development work in the simulator,” commented Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene. “He will fit in to a program aimed at improving important areas, invigorating and strengthening an already strong and capable group of professionals.”
“I feel very honored to be joining the Ferrari family and becoming a part of the most prestigious team in the history of Formula One,” said Vergne. “The objective is a unanimous one and that is to help the Scuderia get back to the top step of the podium. Having had two years working in the simulator for a top F1 team and three years racing with Toro Rosso, my experience will add to the great efforts that are currently being made in order to get the team back to its winning ways.”
“I look forward to fulfilling my dream in becoming a member of the Ferrari Formula One team and having the Tifosi behind me every step of the way.”
