Jean-Eric Vergne profile

By Andrew Benson Chief F1 writer

Before this season, inside Red Bull, there were those would tell you last year that of all the aspiring young drivers in their programme, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne was the one with the most potential.

Team: Toro Rosso Team-mate: Daniel Ricciardo Nationality: French Born:25/05/90, Pontoise So his grand prix debut with Toro Rosso was awaited with some interest this season.

It got off to a good start in Australia, with the intense Frenchman out-qualifying his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo before losing out to the Australian - and on a point - in a madcap last-lap scramble involving a number of other cars.

Ironically, since then, Vergne's qualifying performances have generally been poor, while in races he has often looked extremely impressive.

There was a strong eighth place in Malaysia in the wet, and that was set to be followed by an even more eye-catching seventh in Monaco before his team gambled on a late shower of rain that never materialised.

Meanwhile, his qualifying has been suffering from over-driving - trying too hard, basically. If he can calm himself down and discover the secret of Saturday afternoons, Vergne could be one to watch.

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