Jean-Eric Vergne is eyeing a switch to IndyCar for the 2015 season after missing out on a seat at Toro Rosso, whilst his chances of securing an F1 seat elsewhere look unlikely.
The Frenchman has spent three years in the sport with Red Bull’s junior team and has only been beaten by a team-mate during one of those seasons – Daniel Ricciardo in 2013.
Despite outscoring Daniil Kvyat by 14 points this year, it was the Russian who secured a promotion to Red Bull alongside Ricciardo, whilst Vergne was left out in the cold at Toro Rosso with Max Verstappen lining up alongside Carlos Sainz Jr.
The 24-year-old is therefore looking further afield, with America’s IndyCar a likely alternative, though he admitted he has some options to remain in F1, with a Williams reserve role rumoured to be in the works.
“I would be really interested in racing in America in IndyCar; I think it’s a great championship,” he told Racer.
“Toro Rosso isn’t really a team where you can stay for a long time, even if you beat your team-mates. If I look at what Ricciardo is doing this year and what I’m doing this year, I’m confident I can do the same as him.
“I’m not really bitter to leave Toro Rosso, I have some other options in Formula 1, but I want to get back into a series where I can win races and win championships.”
Vergne accepts that the two series are wide apart and he would therefore face a steep learning curve, but it’s a challenge he would relish.
“I don’t pretend I would win everything, or have an easy time on the ovals; it’s a lot to learn coming from Europe, but many European drivers have become quite good on ovals with some experience, and with so many road courses and street races, I know I can be very effective,” he added.
“I have always loved racing in America, and I have always been very interested in IndyCar. The timing is very good right now to make this happen.”
