Confirmed: Jean-Eric Vergne ousted by Toro Rosso

[jens]

The way we are about to lose Vergne reminds me Alguersuari, who seemed to become a pretty competent driver in 2011, but there just wasn't room for him.

However, I don't blame Red Bull's "treatment", because they have to carry on with their young driver conveyor belt. It is written into their driver strategy! For example had they kept Alguersuari, we would not have seen either Vergne or Ricciardo in F1, which would have been a loss as well. It is harsh, but Toro Rosso is not meant for making a long career there, i.e drive a 10-year-career in STR only. This would completely stall the driver conveyor.

STR is meant to be used as a platform - you drive 2-3 years and then move to another team. Sort of like once Minardi was - Alonso/Webber were never going to stay all their career in Minardi. Bianchi was not going to stay in Marussia all his career either. Not everyone is like Pierluigi Martini. Current Toro Rosso is like a more competitive option of the old days Minardi - as a rookie you get your gig in this team, try to impress, either make or break into another (better) team. Alo, Web, Fisi, Trulli, and others all made it out of Minardi.

But what after those 2-3 years? If not Red Bull, you can still join another team. But sadly it seems there is no place for Vergne - most midfield teams need a paydriver. And that's the tough game of modern F1, which also almost cost Hülkenberg a place in F1 (he was without a race drive in 2011). It would have been great had Vergne got that Williams 3rd driver role. Perhaps he can still get that?