‘Little bit cocky’… 51-point driver was ‘often misunderstood’ by people in the F1 paddock

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Every driver who reaches Formula 1 has to have a seriously high level of self-confidence.

To be one of the top 20 drivers in the world is extremely impressive but also requires a level of belief that you’re superior to the hundreds of other racers you’ve come up against rising through the ranks to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

Sebastian Vettel’s former coach Antti Kontsas was a guest on the Beyond The Grid Podcast and spoke about another of the Formula 1 drivers he’s previously worked with.

F1 drivers are typically very different people in the paddock especially when they’re in the car compared to in their day-to-day lives.

Jos Verstappen admitted this week on his son Max’s website that he’s ‘a really sweet guy’.

However, he went on to say: “But as soon as he puts the visor down, he turns into a lion.

“He is really driven and the only thing that counts is winning. That’s always been inside him.”

Kontsas used to work with Jean-Eric Vergne at Toro Rosso – now Visa Cash App RB – and admitted that the Frenchman was misunderstood during his time in Formula 1.

The 34-year-old had a decent stint in F1 with Red Bull’s junior team, scoring 51 points across three seasons.

However, amid a reshuffle between the two teams at the end of 2014, he was the man who missed out on a race seat.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Jean-Eric Vergne misunderstood during his time in Formula 1

The Toro Rosso team arrived on the F1 grid in 2006 and allowed Red Bull’s most talented young drivers to adapt to the sport without being immediately thrust into the spotlight of driving one of the fastest cars in the paddock.

The likes of Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz all began their F1 journeys with the team and 12 years after his first season with the manufacturer, Daniel Ricciardo has returned to partner the in-form Yuki Tsunoda.

After a successful campaign in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2011, Vergne made the step up to F1 the following year, partnering with Ricciardo after he was signed from HRT.

The pair spent two seasons together and were very closely matched – Vergne coming out on top in 2012 and Ricciardo beating him in the Drivers’ Championship in 2013.

The Australian earned a promotion to the Red Bull team in 2014 and when Sebastian Vettel left to join Ferrari in 2015, Vergne might have thought he was getting his chance to step up as well.

However, Vergne was snubbed for Daniil Kvyat and his time in Formula 1 ended as a misunderstood driver who had more to offer.

He’s still gone on to star in Formula E, winning back-to-back championships and holding the record for the most pole positions in the history of the series.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

Jean-Eric Vergne has gone on to have a successful career after F1

Asked if he was sad to be leaving Vergne to begin working with Sebastian Vettel, Kontsas said: “For sure! It was a hard conversation.

“I think we had a great relationship and he’s very kind and generous.

“I think people often misunderstood him as he came across as a little bit cocky but that’s not the truth in any way.

“So, it was not easy, however, I was put in a new challenge and I was of course looking forward to that as well.”

Red Bull once again facing a dilemma with Visa Cash App RB drivers

Vergne may have been misunderstood during his time in Formula 1 and ultimately was unlucky to have never been given a chance to drive for Red Bull, especially with the unrest that was on the horizon.

It could be argued that he was more deserving than Kvyat and the inexperienced Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon struggled where Vergne might have fared better given his background.

Red Bull may be wondering if they should be promoting a driver from within to replace Sergio Perez given the gap between him and Verstappen.

However, Yuki Tsunoda doesn’t appear to be in the conversation and Ricciardo isn’t driving to a high enough level to earn a promotion.

They’ve also got to find a seat on the grid for Liam Lawson and may have to move someone on to give the young Kiwi his opportunity.

It’s a very difficult scenario Christian Horner and Helmut Marko once again face and a driver may end up following Vergne’s path to Formula E or another series as a result.