Toro Rosso officially confirm Ricciardo and Vergne for 2013

Toro Rosso have officially confirmed they are retaining both Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne for the 2013 season, confirming rumors that the two were set to stay put at the Faenza-based outfit. Despite a tough 2012 season, the duo have both shone throughout the due course of the season, and are eager to continue improving next season.

Daniel Ricciardo made his debut in Formula 1 last season for HRT at the British Grand Prix, and has since improved greatly up the F1 ladder to Toro Rosso. The Australian driver has so far scored nine points this season, and will undoubtedly be striving to impress next season within the team, especially with the Red Bull presence at the Italian outfit.

“I am really pumped to know that I am continuing with Scuderia Toro Rosso for another season and want to thank the team and Red Bull.” Said Daniel Ricciardo, “There are big expectations for next year and I’m ready and willing to fulfill them. I feel I have been growing and developing as a driver and my approach to the technical side of the sport has also progressed this year, so I am sure that will serve me well in my second season with Toro Rosso. We have had quite a tough season, but despite that, I have always enjoyed a good relationship with all the guys and I am delighted at the idea of working with them for another year.”

Jean-Eric Vergne made his debut this season with Toro Rosso, and after a highly successful season in the World Series by Renault the previous year was tipped as one to watch at the start of the season. Just like team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, the Frenchman managed to score his first points in the early stages of the season. However, since then Vergne has also struggled, although he is adamant of a much more competitive 2013 season.

“I am really happy about this great news.” Enthused Jean-Eric Vergne, “Thank you Toro Rosso and thank you Red Bull, who have backed me since the early days of my career. It has been a difficult season and, as a rookie, I have learned a lot, thanks to the support I got and the excellent relationship I have enjoyed with all the guys. I feel much stronger now and I know I have become a better driver over the course of the season. I really believe in this team and with all the experience I have gained, combined with the team’s ambitious plans for next year, I think we can look forward to great things in 2013, attacking all the way.”

With Toro Rosso announcing both of their drivers for next season, as well as Nico Hulkenberg being confirmed at Sauber for 2013, this still leaves half of the grid for next season unconfirmed. Lotus have yet to confirm Kimi Raikkonen’s team-mate, however it is firmly believed that Romain Grosjean will be retained. Both Force India, Williams, Marussia, Caterham and HRT have yet to confirm their driver line-ups, with Sauber still yet to confirm Hulkenberg’s team-mate.

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