DECEMBER 14, 2011

Torro Rosso dumps current drivers and signs Ricciardo and Vergne

Scurderia Toro Rosso has announced an all new driver lineup of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne for 2012.

Both drivers came through the Red Bull Junior Driver programme, and will replace the duo of Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari - leaving both without drives for next season. Toro Rosso said the decision was taken in conjunction with Red Bull.

Some see the move as giving the two young drivers a proper try-out, in order to see if either shows enough promise to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull for the 2013 season.

Ricciardo drove for Toro Rosso in friday practice sessions early in the season before being placed at HRT. He won the 2008 Formula Renault 2.0 Championship, and the 2009 British F3 championship. Vergne won the 2010 British F3 championship and was second in this year's Renault 3.5 series.

Team Principal Franz Tost said, "I am pleased that we have been able to reach an early decision on our drivers for next year, because it means we can all give our full attention to 2012, without any distractions. Over the past year, both Daniel and Jean-Eric have proved their worth and I expect them to make a significant contribution to the team's performance next year. Daniel has the benefit of having actually raced in Grands Prix for much of this year, while Jean-Eric proved he could adapt quickly to the demands of driving a Formula 1 car. As they have both worked with the team and its engineers very recently, this should allow us to get up to speed right from the start of winter testing in a couple of months time. I must also thank Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for all their hard work over the past three seasons. They have delivered some excellent performances which have helped the team move forward and develop. We wish them well for the future. However, one has to remember that when Scuderia Toro Rosso was established in 2005, it was done so with the intention of providing a first step into Formula 1 for the youngsters in the Red Bull Junior Driver programme. It is therefore part of the team's culture to change its driver line-up from time to time in order to achieve this goal."

Daniel Ricciardo said, "This is a really big deal for me and something I have wanted ever since I was driving for Toro Rosso on Friday mornings at the races in the first part of last season. To be honest, I am still jumping up and down with excitement at the news. In the second half of 2011 I learned a lot from the people I worked with, racing in eleven Grands Prix and I want to thank them for the opportunity they gave me. I have to say that joining Scuderia Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity and now I can't wait to get to work once testing begins."

Jean-Eric Vergne said, "First of all, I must thank Red Bull for all their support so far and for believing I am ready to take on the ultimate challenge of racing in Formula 1. Christmas has come early for me this year! Having driven for them a few times this year and also testing for Red Bull Racing in Abu Dhabi, I definitely feel ready to make the move, even if I know there is a big difference between testing and actually racing. I enjoyed working with the guys at Toro Rosso this year and I can't wait to be part of the team for real. Sitting on the grid in Melbourne next March cannot come soon enough."