Formula 1

Jean-Eric Vergne: “We will still be doing our Best”

2 Mins read

The Scuderia Toro Rosso team arrive at Monza for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix on the back of securing an ninth place finish at Spa-Francorchamps through Daniil Kvyat, while Jean-Eric Vergne finished just outside the top ten in eleventh. The team are expecting a difficult weekend in Italy, with the Monza track requiring good straight-line speed, something the Renault power unit has struggled with this season.

Vergne has happy memories of Monza, taking a win at the track in 2011 whilst driving for Carlin in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and is hoping to put on a good show for Toro Rosso’s home race.

“It’s the home race for us at Toro Rosso and I’m really looking forward to the weekend, because it’s always great to perform in front of the Tifosi, who really make this Grand Prix special,” said Vergne. “I think it might be a difficult race for us, as it is very much a power track where you need to be flying down the straights, which is maybe not our biggest strength this year. We will still be doing our best to have a good home race.

“I love the atmosphere here and I have good memories of when I won here in the World Series. Last year’s race was quite unfortunate for me, but I hope we can have a strong race this time.”

Team-mate Kvyat took a victory and a runners-up spot at the Monza circuit in 2013 en-route to winning the GP3 Series championship with MW Arden, and is looking forward to getting on track in an F1 car for the first time.

“I really like Monza and it’s been an important circuit for me, as I have taken some major wins and podium finishes there,” said Kvyat. “Last year was particularly good, when I won Race 1 in the GP3 category and then came second in Race 2 in which they reverse the grid order for the front runners.

“It’s a very challenging track, especially for the rookie drivers, as it is a very high speed and demanding circuit. I have always enjoyed driving it in the junior formulas and I hope it will still be the case in the Formula One car this year.

“I have spent a lot of my life in Italy, so it’s going to be cool to be in a familiar atmosphere. Of course, it’s also Toro Rosso’s home race, which will make what is always a highlight of the Formula One calendar even more special.”

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