"Patient" Vergne sets sights on LMP1 WEC future

The former Toro Rosso F1 driver is competing for the Manor LMP2 team in this year's WEC, alongside his Formula E commitments with Techeetah.

At last month's Spa WEC race, Vergne set the fastest individual class lap time in qualifying, although along with teammates Tor Graves and Jonathan Hirschi could only finish seventh.

Although LMP1 opportunities are hard to come by, especially given that there are now only two manufacturers, Vergne is hoping that his performances with Manor will earn him a graduation.

“Of course, that’s part of the plan,” he told Motorsport.com. “I’ve proved my worth in F1 and Formula E, but obviously endurance racing is something very different.

"I’ve got to prove myself again, and I have no problem to do so. Here I am, and I’m really happy. I’m being patient, and I’m sure one day the opportunity will come, and I’ll be ready to step up.”

Vergne says he’s enjoying what he’s seen of sportscar racing thus far, and says the Oreca 07-Gibson that has become the mainstay of the LMP2 class is "amazing to drive".

“The level of the drivers is very good in LMP2, and it’s always exciting to be fighting against good drivers, it doesn’t matter what championship it is," he said.

"It keeps you alert and always performing, and that’s what I like.

“I feel very comfortable in the LMP2 car. Everything is going better and better, and I’m really happy with this new kind of racing for me.

"They are amazing to drive, with the cornering speed. I’ve driven the best cars in the world, and this isn’t far off. You put a few more horsepower, and it will be an LMP1.”

"Moving on" from F1

Regarding the prospects of a return to F1, he said: “You know what you can do against guys who win races. It’s easy to see yourself in the same car and also win races. But it’s part of the game, it’s how it is, you have to accept the situation, and you move on.

“There are many other things, and I’m really happy where I am today. If one day the opportunity comes back, definitely I’ll take it. But I’m more happy here than finishing 10th or 11th every race in F1.”

Vergne admitted he found attending F1 races in 2015-16 in his capacity as Ferrari reserve frustrating without a job to do.

"It was an amazing thing to do to be with Ferrari, and now I’m part of the family," said the Frenchman. "But I couldn’t continue this way, going to all the tracks to do nothing. It’s not me.

"I enjoyed doing it last year a lot, I gave everything I could to the team, but at the end of the day I must race.”