Jean-Éric Vergne celebrates his 33rd birthday: a look back at his career in pictures

Former pilot of Formula 1, double champion of Formula E, current Hypercar driver for Peugeot : Jean-Éric Vergne is one of the most complete French drivers of his generation. This Wednesday April 25 marks the 33rd birthday of the pilot born in Pontoise (Val-d'Oise). The opportunity to look back in pictures on the career of “JEV”.

Campus formula Renault

After his years karting, Jean-Eric Vergne logically moves into car by entering the Formula Renault Campus (here in Dijon), a real breeding ground for future champions. And for a first season, the rookie did not do anything by half measures by pocketing the title with six victories. Enough to attract the attention of Red Bull, which integrates French into its fold.

Formula Renault 2.0

The obvious continuation of his career, Formula Renault 2.0, both in the Eurocup and in WEC, will not see Vergne win the championship. In 2009, the Pontoise driver placed second in both series. But the Frenchman will not lose the opportunity to triumph the following year in the higher category.

British F3

It was finally across the Channel that Jean-Eric Vergne won a new title, in the very competitive British F3. Aligned within Team Carlin, “Froggy” easily defeated James Calado and Oliver Webb, and finished the British campaign with a significant lead. 2010 also saw him debut in GP3 and FR 3.5, which would serve as his main program in 2011.

Formula Renault 3.5

Still under the Carlin colors, the clash is tough between Jean-Eric Vergne and his Canadian teammate Robert Wickens, future driver DTM et IndyCar. And despite a better end to the season, the Frenchman narrowly failed to win the title. Also test pilot Toro Rosso, Vergne will however enter F1 in 2012.

Formula 1

It is alongside Daniel Ricciardo that Jean-Eric Vergne makes his debut in F1. And the Frenchman is only waiting for the second Grand Prix in Malaysia to get his first points with an eighth place. A performance repeated twice this same year.

But at the end of his third season with the Faenza team, the F1 racing adventure ended for “JEV”, who served for a time as a test and simulator driver for the Team Ferrari before a new chapter in its career.

Formula E

It was in Uruguay, in Punta del Este in December 2014, that Jean-Eric Vergne discovered Formula E, replacing his compatriot Franck Montagny. Author of a podium in Long Beach (California) three races later, the Ile-de-France native will never leave the discipline, and today represents the DS-Penske team.

Winner for the first time at the end of the 2016-2017 season in Canada in Montreal, Vergne was crowned champion of the discipline during Seasons 4 and 5 with DS-Techeetah. Currently, JEV remains the only double champion in Formula E. The Frenchman, still loyal to DS Automobile, is one of the best drivers in the history of FE, with 11 successes to his credit.

Endurance

Jean-Eric Vergne's career has also included Endurance since 2018, in the WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Engaged in the Oreca 07 – CEFC TRSM Racing, Vergne saw the arrival of his first double lap at La Sarthe in 6th place in LM 2, 7th overall. In 2018, his G-Drive team was disqualified after winning the race in the LM P2 category. The Frenchman participated in Le Mans in 2019 and 2020 with a best result of 5th place in the LM P2 class.

In 2021, Jean-Éric Vergne is one of the drivers selected by Peugeot to lead the Hypercar project with the 9X8. JEV discovers the premier category of Endurance during the 6 Hours of Monza in July 2022, and will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 with the Sochalian firm.

Photos: © DPPI