Jean-Eric Vergne (Photo Credit: World Series by Renault/Gilles Levent-DPPI)
Having entered the last Formula Renault 3.5 round at Silverstone with a four point lead over Robert Wickens, you could be forgiven for thinking Jean–Eric Vergne would be slightly demoralised.
Now trailing his Carlin team mate by 34 points after Wickens romped to victory in both races at the Northamptonshire circuit, Vergne is playing catch up with just 100 points available from the final four races of the campaign.
Although the dominance of the Frenchman and Wickens has already sealed the team’s championship with two rounds to spare, the driver’s championship hangs in the balance.
Despite the huge deficit, Vergne is not throwing in the towel and knows that a good result on home soil at Paul Ricard could reel in his championship rival.
On Carlin’s website Vergne said: “I'm still feeling confident. My approach has changed though. After a difficult weekend at Silverstone, I've got nothing to lose anymore. We know we've got the pace, the team is good, the car is good – the front row should be the aim in qualifying. The bad luck that happened to me in Silverstone could easily happen to anyone – including Robert – in Paul Ricard so I will keep pushing hard. I'm prepared to take some risks now. It's my home race and it would be fantastic to hear the La Marseillaise played on the podium.”
