Jean Eric Vergne claims he as good as Mark Webber currently

Buoyed by his impressive form in Abu Dhabi last week, Jean-Eric Vergne thinks he would do as good a job in Formula One as Mark Webber.

Frenchman Vergne, the latest cream of Red Bull's development programme, tested Sebastian Vettel's title-winning RB7 during the young driver test and was fastest in all six sessions over the course of the three days.

Already Toro Rosso's Friday driver, the 21-year-old is scheduled to practice with Sebastien Buemi's car in Brazil and is considered a hot contender to replace the Swiss full-time in 2012.

But he also thinks he would be ready to be Vettel's teammate at the senior team.

"When I came back (from the test) I saw the comments of (engineering boss) Ian Morgan and they were very positive, I cannot hide it," Vergne is quoted as saying by French newsmagazine Le Nouvel Observateur.

"I know that the top teams are cautious of young drivers; the only one (McLaren) that dared to go with a young guy recently was Hamilton, and it worked.

"We have had a similar preparation; I did three days of testing and physically had no problems.

"So I think if I was put in the Red Bull, I would do no worse than Webber. That's my impression, anyway, after these tests.

"But I know that the road is still long and where I go next is Brazil. This is my last practice session with Toro Rosso before I know what I will be doing next season," he added.

source: motorsport