Jean-Éric Vergne
A versatile French racer who, after a promising F1 start, rewrote the record books to become Formula E's first multi-time world champion.
Born 1990 (age 36)·French racing driver·Birthday: April 25·Millennials
Biography
Jean-Éric Vergne's career is a testament to adaptability and sustained excellence in the shifting landscape of modern motorsport. His Formula One stint with Toro Rosso showed flashes of brilliant speed but yielded no podium, leaving him without a seat after 2014. Rather than fade away, he pivoted decisively to the then-fledgling all-electric Formula E championship. This move defined his legacy. With the Techeetah team, Vergne matured into a ruthless and strategic force, claiming back-to-back drivers' titles in 2018 and 2019—a series first. His success helped legitimize Formula E and demonstrated that world-class talent could thrive outside the F1 bubble. Simultaneously, he became a top contender in endurance racing, winning the 2022 24 Hours of Daytona. Vergne's journey underscores that a driver's peak can be found on multiple paths.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jean-Éric was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jean-Éric Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jean-Éric's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first two-time Formula E Drivers' Champion, winning consecutively in 2017–18 and 2018–19.
- Won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2022 driving for Meyer Shank Racing.
- Helped his Techeetah squad secure the Formula E Teams' Championship in 2019 and 2020.
- Scored a best finish of sixth place during his three-season Formula One career with Toro Rosso.
Did You Know?
He is a former Red Bull Racing development driver and was teammates with Daniel Ricciardo at Toro Rosso.
Vergne is an avid sim racer and competes in virtual events under the pseudonym 'JEV.'
He won the prestigious British Formula 3 championship in 2010.
He co-founded a professional esports racing team called 'Veloce.'
““When one door closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.””
