David Coulthard admits ‘circumstances’ were against 33-year-old in Formula 1, he’s thriving now

Follow us on Google Discover

David Coulthard has been talking about French driver Jean-Eric Vergne and his brief stint in Formula 1.

Although F1 action doesn’t return for another month with Max Verstappen attempting to win his fourth straight title, the Formula E season got underway this weekend.

The rapid electric cars took to the track in Mexico City and Coulthard was part of the commentary team for TNT Sports.

Although Formula 1 is seen as the pinnacle of motorsport for many, it’s not the only series that drivers eventually end up in.

The likes of IndyCar, Le Mans and NASCAR are all fantastic series and different drivers and styles ultimately suit different cars.

Jean-Eric Vergne – also known simply as JEV – was once one of the young drivers brought through the then Toro Rosso set-up.

He spent three seasons with the team, scoring 51 points with a best finish of 6^th at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2013.

However, at the end of 2014, he and Daniil Kvyat were replaced by Carlos Sainz and a certain Max Verstappen.

Vergne spent two more years as Ferrari’s test driver in Formula 1 while also taking part in Formula E which Coulthard believes suits him much better.

The Red Bull set-up is never easy to negotiate and the French driver never quite did enough to earn a spot in the works team.

However, in the premier electric series, he has found his home and is the most successful driver in Formula E history.

Coulthard gives verdict on Vergne’s Formula 1 career

Speaking about the 33-year-old and asked about his time in F1, Coulthard said: “Yeah, I think circumstances meant that he didn’t have a lot of a career there, but he’s found his world championship in Formula E and he’s getting off to a good start this season.”

Vergne earned praise from Coulthard after finishing the Mexico City ePrix in 6^th on Saturday, with another Formula 1 alumni Pascal Wehrlein taking the chequered flag in first.

The experienced Frenchman is the only driver to have won the Formula E Drivers’ Championship twice in its history.

The standings have also been much closer in recent years than F1, with Vergne winning both of his titles either after the final or penultimate race of the season.

He’s found his calling and like so many drivers to have been through the Red Bull/Toro Rosso system, they’ve performed their best outside of Formula 1.