OCTOBER 12, 2011

Vergne confirmed for Korea

Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne will drive for Toro Rosso in the first session of free practice for this week's Korean Grand Prix, in place of Jaime Alguersuari.

Vergne is the reigning British F3 champion and followed in the footsteps of Red Bull Junior Team contemporaries Alguersuari and Daniel Ricciardo, who won the British F3 crown with Carlin Motorsport in 2008-09 respectively.

The 21-year-old Vergne finished runner-up to Canadian Robert Wickens in this year's Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the pair taking five wins apiece.

Alguersuari sits out the session in Korea because the last time a Toro Rosso driver was replaced on Friday morning, it was Sebastien Buemi giving up his seat to Ricciardo.

Vergne will not drive at the Indian Grand Prix because Toro Rosso wants the maximum track time for Alguersuari and Buemi. The Frenchman will return in Abu Dhabi, replacing Buemi.

At the final round of the season in Brazil, whichever of the Toro Rosso drivers has the least points will give up his seat to Vergne for FP1. Alguersuari currently has 16 points to Buemi's 13.