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Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne was in Paris when STR told him that he had a drive for 2012, and he celebrated today by using the simulator at Red Bull’s facility in the UK. Intriguingly he admits in this Q&A issued by the team that he thought he might only have the third driver role in 2012.

We see you’re celebrating your drive by working in the simulator. Must be a good feeling knowing you will be getting the benefit of all this work yourself next year?

“I think it’s a good thing to be working today, just a few hours after hearing that I have the drive with Toro Rosso next season. It helps me keep my feet on the ground, but in any case, I love the work, driving either the real car or in the simulator. It also makes a difference knowing that the work I’m doing in the simulator is now for my own benefit on track and not just for other drivers.”

How did you get the news that you were a fully fledged F1 driver?

“I was at home in Paris when I got the call. I was very excited and keen to tell everyone, but I did not dare phone anyone until the team told me that it had put out the official press release. Once I knew it was out there, I started calling my parents and my family of course and my trainer and others who have helped me along the way. After that, I could not make any calls because people were ringing me nonstop.”

You mentioned that a lot of people have helped you with your career, so this might be a good time to thank them.

“Obviously, Red Bull is top of the list and without them I would not be in Formula 1; maybe I’d still be in college. After that, I have to say that the FFSA, the French motor sport federation has been a great help, backing me ever since I was racing karts. Then I won a Federation championship called the Autosport Academy, so they got me on my way before I became part of the Red Bull programme.”

Did you have any other plans in place for 2012?

“I think I might have been the third driver for the team, running in Friday practice again and maybe tackling another season of World Series. But now I don’t have to think about that because my plans for next year are fixed in the best way possible.”

After finishing in the silver medal position in the Renault 3.5 championship, you then had a busy time running three practice sessions with Scuderia Toro Rosso and doing the Young Driver Test for Red Bull Racing. Were they very different kinds of pressure?

“It’s all the same for me, because, whenever I am behind the wheel, whatever the car, whatever the formula, I always enjoy myself and do not feel any pressure. I just try to always give my best and to be as professional as possible.”

Daniel Ricciardo has been your team-mate before, so how do you think the two of you will get along together this time?

“I think it’s fantastic for me to be team mates with him. 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. 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.”

What are your plans between now and February testing?

“After some time in the simulator, I will spend Christmas with my family and the rest of the time will be spent training, because it will be important to be as fit and as well prepared as possible for what will be a very long and tough season.”

Having signed up now, does it mean you can actually have an input on the technical side of next year’s Toro Rosso car?

“Over the past couple of months, when I have been working with the team, along with the engineers, we have already looked into things like my position in the car and other areas. Of course, in the next few weeks, I will be going to the factory in Faenza to meet with the engineers and also to try and get to know everyone in the team a bit better, even if we established a good relationship when I was with the team in the last part of this season. I’ve got quite a few questions going round in my head, so it will be good to get to Italy and discuss everything calmly before it’s time to get in the cockpit again.”

Scuderia Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost insists that the role of his team is to train rookies, and says Sebastian Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari have both had their chance.

The decision to replace both drivers with Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne has caused some surprise in F1 circles, but Tost says that it is a logical one.

“Our driver line-up had been under discussion for a long time as it is obviously a vital component of the team’s performance,” said Tost in an interview issued by the team. “The final decision was taken in a meeting at Red Bull headquarters in Austria on 13 December 2011.

“We do not wish to discuss our driver contracts, but let’s just say that it is their performance level in the car that is the deciding factor and if they do a good job, this will help their cause in terms of how long they stay with us.”

Regarding the departures of Buemi and Alguersuari, Tost said: “Sebastien has been with us for three seasons and Jaime for two and a half. Both of them worked hard for the team, doing their very best and achieving some good results.

“However, Scuderia Toro Rosso’s ethos has always been that of the ‘rookie training school’ and with over two seasons under your belt, you are no longer a rookie. In an ideal world, drivers would move from Scuderia Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing, but there are no vacancies with our sister team right now. It might be seen as a harsh decision, but Formula 1 is a tough environment, and Toro Rosso has always been very clear about the principles behind its driver choice.”

Tost denied that it was frustrating to have to take rookie drivers.

“No, it’s not frustrating, in fact quite the opposite. It is a very interesting experience for everyone in the team to work with young drivers and it means you can educate them the way you want. Everyone, from the race engineers to the communications people can try and give the new drivers good habits, which they can use for the rest of their career.”

He said that despite his experience, Ricciardo won’t be regarded as the number one driver.

“No, although given that he has some actual F1 racing experience, it would be natural for him to settle into the job more quickly. However, Jean-Eric has shown he learns rapidly so I expect him to be on the pace quite soon. It will be important for the team to ensure we give them as many kilometres as possible in winter testing.

“It is always good to know who your drivers are as early as possible. For one thing, weeks of speculation are usually disruptive to the work of a team. Although we know our two new drivers quite well, it also means they can already start working with the engineers, assimilating information and even having some input into minor details regarding the new car. It also means I can be sure they are taking their winter fitness training very seriously!”

Daniel Ricciardo was at home in Australia when he learned that he has an STR seat for 2012. The team has issued the following Q&A with him.

Dan, congratulations on getting a drive with Scuderia Toro Rosso. How does it feel?

“It feels amazing! It’s nice coming into next season knowing what I’m doing and being able to focus solely on that. I am looking forward to working with a good group of people that I already spent a lot of time with this year. So there’s plenty to look forward to in 2012.”

How did you find out you had the drive?

“I was actually at home, it was after dinner and the phone call came. It was short, sharp and to the point, but it contained all the news I wanted to hear. It was an awesome Christmas present and a big relief. I was with Mum and Dad at the time and I came out of my room and told them the news and it felt pretty special.”

Since the last race of 2011 in Brazil, were you ever concerned you might not have a drive for 2012?

“Until something is done you are always going to be a little bit concerned, but I know everyone at Red Bull is looking after my interests and I felt I had done a good enough job this year for them to try and find me a seat for 2012. I had faith something would come through.”

You’ve had a busy year, starting out driving Free Practice 1 for us and then actually racing in the last eleven Grands Prix from Silverstone onwards. What are the main lessons you learned this year?

“Looking back at the whole year, I did more travelling than ever before in my life and I found out it can be really tiring and can take it out of you. So I learned how important it is to be on time and to manage my time as efficiently as possible and to rest when I can. There was so much to take in this year and from the driving point of view, as a reserve driver you can see everything the job involves, but until you are actually racing, you do not realise the demands it puts on you, so that was another important lesson. I learned to get my priorities right and not waste my energy elsewhere.”

How well do you know your new team mate, Jean-Eric Vergne?

“Pretty well. We were signed up as part of the Red Bull Junior team on the same day and we were team-mates back then, in the Renault 2.0 series. I spent some time with him at his house in France, going karting together. We had a pretty good relationship by the standard of racing driver team-mates. As we progressed, the rivalry got stronger between us, but the important thing is that we respect one another. We both want to beat each other more than anyone else and it’s been like that since we first raced together. It’s a good thing and means we will get the maximum out of the equipment we are given. Next year will be a proper test for both of us.”

When will you be coming back to Europe?

“I have spoken to Laurent (Mekies, Chief Engineer) and we are putting together a pre-season programme now. I imagine that very early in the new year I will have to abandon the beautiful Australian summer and head for freezing Italy and get down to business, making sure I am as well prepared as possible.”

It means you’ve got the best incentive to push hard on your winter training.

“Yes, my trainer told me I could take it easy until Christmas, but once I heard I got the drive I wanted to go out and bash myself up in the gym.”

Having signed up now, does it mean you can actually have an input on the technical side of next year’s Toro Rosso car?

“Yes, there are some areas where we can start early. For example, there are different options for my position in the cockpit and the layout of the steering wheel and the team has already asked me about my preferences for this. It means that coming into testing I should be comfortable and feel the car is mine.”

Jaime Alguersuari says he’s in a positive mood despite yesterday’s decision by Toro Rosso to drop him from the team.

The Spaniard has issued a statement outlining his thoughts on the situation, in which he confirms that as of earlier this week he was given the impression that all was well.

“I am very surprised by the decision,” he said. “Just a week after winning the Challenge das Estrelas in Florianópolis I talked with Helmut Marko and Franz Tost and they told me they had plans for me in 2012.

“They did it with enthusiasm and showed me much confidence, they also asked me to be on Monday in Madrid in a wonderful CEPSA event in which they told me to insist on our 2012 project in F1.

“So after talking with Franz Tost and Helmut Marko this morning [Wednesday], I thought of three things. First, I will not judge the situation because if I thought it was a  crazy thing to make me debut in 2009 with 19 years and three months without having done a km in F1 ever before, today’s news seemed to be a major misunderstanding in the best moment of my sporting life. I will not judge the reasons of the decision, because Red Bull gave me everything since I was 15 years old, I’ve been formed with them, and I’ve become a complete F1 driver at age 21.

“Second, I am not a victim because for seven years I have enjoyed the privilege of being in the best team in the world and with the best means, they brought me here, with them I won the British F3 International Series at 18 years and with them I have achieved the best results of a 21 years old F1 driver in 2011. At the end of March I will turn 22, with 46 GPs disputed. They have taken a decision that I respect, but I am left with an enviable training at emotional and fitness level.

“Third, there is no drama, because I have many plans for the present and the future. At all levels – professional and sportive. The surprise has lasted a couple of hours. It was necessary to talk to my family, watch the street, and then realise that life is full of opportunities and challenges.

“Reading the headlines I’ve come to realise that there are almost five million unemployed persons in Spain, and we can only give back to this country the confidence and optimism, thinking about fighting and improving every day. And that’s what I’ll do starting tomorrow, I promise to all the fans and the people who appreciate me.”

Luis Perez Sala has been appointed team principal of HRT, as replacement for the departing Colin Kolles.

The former Minardi driver has acted as an advisor for the new owners, and played a key role in getting Pedro de la Rosa on board.

By co-incidence in 1988 he was team mate to Adrian Campos, the man who founded what became HRT under its original Campos Meta name, but left before its first race.

“I joined the team as an advisor to the new owners and to contribute with my experience in any possible way,” said Sala. “We had to establish a base from which to grow slowly, and we are now seeing the first rewards of that work. But we mustn’t lose our perspective and be aware that assuming responsibilities such as designing the car or moving the headquarters to Spain are huge tasks and we still have a lot of work ahead.

“We must be patient and keep in mind that we cannot expect to achieve great success in the short term, but we can take a team forward that we can all feel proud of. The simple fact that Spain has a team in the pinnacle of motorsports is already a great feat; we’re a part of the G12. And that, apart from being an honour, means a greater development to the structure and everything surrounding it.”

Explaining the decision, CEO Saúl Ruiz de Marcos said: “From the moment we took control of the team last July, the first thing we did was to study and value where we were, whilst also set ourselves a target and establish a strategy. We have been working discretely but relentlessly towards this for the last few months.

“We’ve always made it clear that our priorities were the car, the headquarters and our drivers. The car is evolving, Pedro has been a great asset to the team and we have always wanted to settle the team in Spain and have everybody working under one roof. Since we began working with Luis our connection has been great. Now he takes on a much more key role in the team but the decision was an easy one given his knowledge and his way of doing things. It is the best decision we could make.”

Scuderia Toro Rosso has kicked out both Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari and replaced them with Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

Explaining the decision, team boss Franz Tost said: “I am pleased that we have been able to reach an early decision [his words!] on our drivers for next year, because it means we can all give our full attention to 2012, without any distractions. Over the past year, both Daniel and Jean-Eric have proved their worth and I expect them to make a significant contribution to the team’s performance next year. Daniel has the benefit of having actually raced in Grands Prix for much of this year, while Jean-Eric proved he could adapt quickly to the demands of driving a Formula 1 car.

“As they have both worked with the team and its engineers very recently, this should allow us to get up to speed right from the start of winter testing in a couple of months time.

“I must also thank Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for all their hard work over the past three seasons. They have delivered some excellent performances which have helped the team move forward and develop. We wish them well for the future. However, one has to remember that when Scuderia Toro Rosso was established in 2005, it was done so with the intention of providing a first step into Formula 1 for the youngsters in the Red Bull Junior Driver programme. It is therefore part of the team’s culture to change its driver line-up from time to time in order to achieve this goal.”

Daniel Ricciardo said: “This is a really big deal for me and something I have wanted ever since I was driving for Toro Rosso on Friday mornings at the races in the first part of last season. To be honest, I am still jumping up and down with excitement at the news. In the second half of 2011 I learned a lot from the people I worked with, racing in eleven Grands Prix and I want to thank them for the opportunity they gave me.  I have to say that joining Scuderia Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity and now I can’t wait to get to work once testing begins.”

Jean-Eric Vergne added: “Christmas has come early for me this year! Having driven for them a few times this year and also testing for Red Bull Racing in Abu Dhabi, I definitely feel ready to make the move, even if I know there is a big difference between testing and actually racing. I enjoyed working with the guys at Toro Rosso this year and I can’t wait to be part of the team for real. Sitting on the grid in Melbourne next March cannot come soon enough.”

Former Grand Prix driver JJ Lehto has received a two year and four month prison sentence in relation to a speedboat crash in his native Finland in June 2010.

The 45-year-old – who was charged under his real name of Jyrki Javilehto – was deemed to have been intoxicated at the time of the night time accident, in which a close friend of his was killed. The boat hit a bridge support in a narrow canal linking two lakes near Rassepori.

Lehto had denied that he was driving at the time of the crash, but the court decreed that he was. He has lodged an appeal.

Lehto was originally a protégé of Marlboro and Keke Rosberg. He won the British F3 title in 1988, and made his F1 debut for the Onyx team in 1989. Later he raced for Scuderia Italia, Sauber and Benetton, making a total of 62 starts before his final outing in Australia in 1994 – after he had moved back to Sauber following a disastrous spell as Michael Schumacher’s team mate. His best result was a lapped third at Imola in 1991 for Scuderia Italia.

He won Le Mans in 1995 and again in 2005, and also raced in the DTM, Champcar and the ALMS.

More recently he was an F1 commentator for Finnish TV, although he has not been seen at a race since the crash.

HRT has announced that it has parted company with team principal Colin Kolles, the man who rescued the former Campos Meta team when it nearly collapsed even before its first race.

The team has been planning to move its base from Germany to Spain, and Kolles had made it clear that he would be willing to step down if the circumstances were right.

A team statement said: “HRT F1 Team and Dr Colin Kolles have reached an agreement to end their co-operation and therefore the Team Principal will abandon his post on the 15th of December 2011.

“This is due to the new direction that the team has taken and the decision of the new management to move the team headquarters to Spain.

“HRT F1 Team would like to thank Dr Colin Kolles for his work and dedication throughout these past two years and wish him the best in his future projects.”

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the former dentist, but he must hold some sort of record having previously been team boss of Jordan, Midland/MF1, Spyker and Force India in addition to HRT…

Romain Grosjean will race alongside Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus in 2012, having beaten the likes of Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna to the drive.

The announcement makes it clear that sponsor Total is very much behind the appointment of the Franco-Swiss driver.

“I am thrilled to be one of the team’s race drivers in 2012,” said the GP2 champion. “There’s a big grin on my face at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of next year’s car, and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity.

“To be racing alongside a former world champion and someone who is hungry and returning to Formula 1 will be a great experience, and I’m sure will help raise my level of performance too. I feel that my successful season in GP2 Series has helped me mature a lot, and I am a much more complete driver than I was last time I was competing in this sport.

“Returning to Enstone as a race driver feels like coming home. I will not disappoint and I wish to thank all the people without whom this return to F1 would not have been possible. Total, which supports me since 2006, and Gravity Sport Management, are first on this list.”

Eric Boullier added: “Romain has shown a lot of maturity in the past twelve months both through his GP2 Series victory and his development as third driver with us. We were impressed when he drove for us in the first practice sessions in Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

“We are confident that drafting him in to one of our driver’s seats will help us in our rebuilding process. I would like to thank Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna for their contribution to the team’s performance this year and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Team Lotus has revealed that former McLaren aero man John Iley has been given the rarely used title of Performance Director at the team that will soon be known as Caterham.

Iley will head up “all aerodynamics, CFD and related activity” for the team, which changes its name on December 14.

Iley’s move became public knowledge some time ago, but the team had not made an official comment until today.

Iley is a longtime protégé of Mike Gascoyne. He originally worked with EuroBrun and on a couple of sportscar projects before joining Jordan in 1995. He hooked up with Gascoyne when the latter joined in 1998, and they went to Renault together in 2002. He later worked at Ferrari before joining McLaren, where he was chief aerodynamicist.

In Brazil Martin Whitmarsh played down his loss to McLaren, saying that Iley organised the aero department rather than led its R&D.

Caterham CEO Riad Asmat said: “It is a real sign of our growth and development as a serious contender for long-term honours that we can attract someone of John’s calibre and we are all very excited about the contribution he will make to our future success from the moment he starts work with our team.”