AUGUST 28, 2011

Toro Rosso to try Vergne

Red Bull young driver programme protege Jean-Eric Vergne is set to be given the chance to drive a Toro Rosso during friday practice sessions later this season.

Red Bull young driver programme protege Jean-Eric Vergne is set to be given the chance to drive a Toro Rosso during friday practice sessions later this season.

With Red Bull re-signing Mark Webber yesterday to partner Sebastian Vettel for another season, there are now four Red Bull backed drivers vying for the two Toro Rosso seats next year. The current squad of Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari have not been confirmed yet, and Daniel Ricciardo has been placed at the HRT team to gain more experience.

Frenchman Vergne is currently racing in the Renault World Series, and lies second in the championship behind Robert Wickens. Toro Rosso has not announced when Vergne will drive for the team, but this will most likely occur after the last race of the World Series which finishes at the beginning of October.

Team principal Franz Tost told BBC Sport, "It is just the confirmation we give him the chance to learn some race tracks, to get some experience of an F1 car, to learn our team, do some works with press, marketing and get some knowledge of all the technical issues and topics that are coming up for an F1 driver."

Regarding the driver situation at Toro Rosso, he said, "We will see at the end of the season. Theoretically we can continue with both drivers. But this is not a decision for today or the next few weeks."