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Vergne pleased with Ricciardo partnership

Jean-Eric Vergne is yet to make his grand prix debut, having only participated in Friday practice sessions and the Young Driver Test © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Daniel Ricciardo
• |
• Jean-Éric Vergne

• Teams:
• Toro Rosso

Jean-Eric Vergne says that it is "fantastic" that he will be driving alongside Daniel Ricciardo for Toro Rosso next season.

Vergne and Ricciardo were announced as the new driver line-up yesterday, ousting Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi. The pair were signed as Red Bull Junior Drivers on the same day and have progressed through the lower formulas together, and Vergne said that the relationship between the two would help the team progress.

"I think it's fantastic for me to be team-mates with him," Vergne said. "He's a great guy and I like him as a friend. We joined the Red Bull programme together so we have known one another for a long time, working together in other series. In Formula 1, you only get one team-mate, so you have to make the best of it, working together to do as good a job as possible for the team. We have similar driving styles and we get on well and that will be a positive factor for us next year."

Vergne admitted that it may take him a little bit longer to get up to speed as Ricciardo has driven in 11 races for HRT already, but said that he has faith in his own ability.

"Dan could probably have a slight edge over me at first as he has done eleven races this year, but let's see how it develops, as we have all the winter testing ahead of us before we start racing. I know that I have a lot to learn, so I hope I can do that quickly. I am conscious it could be very tough, but I also know that in general, I learn and I adapt very quickly: certainly that was the case in every category that I have raced in so far. Formula 1 is different, tougher than all the rest, but I feel confident."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.