Vergne verging on E-xcellence

Formula E star Jean-Eric Vergne was truly born to race.

"I was practically born on a karting track," the Frenchman told China Daily in an exclusive interview in the pit in Mexico City, where the all-electric racing series ran the fourth competition of its third season on April 1.

"My mom has photos of me when I was about five or 10 days old in a karting seat," said Vergne, a native of Pontoise, a Paris suburb.

"My parents own a kart track outside Paris. My mom didn't have time to buy a baby seat, so my baby seat was a karting seat."

Vergne's interest in motor racing stretches back to his earliest memories, perhaps when he was as young as four, racing for the first time in a go-kart as a 10-year-old - the youngest age possible under French law.

"It's something that I always knew I wanted to do. I didn't want to do anything else. All I wanted to do is race cars," said Vergne, who became the youngest French driver to race in Formula One.

His career has been both challenging and rewarding.

"Motorsport is very difficult," he said. "There are so many people who want to race, but only a few drivers are able to make it to the top level.

"You must be at the best level all the time because you can be fired for one mistake and teams can find someone to take your place."

But Vergne, who turns 27 this month, feels blessed to have found a job he loves.

"When you have a passion that you can make a living from, there's nothing better in life," he said.

Vergne has also proved adept at adapting to new series and new teams.

Representing China's Techeetah team this season, he has the unique distinction of being the only driver to race for three different Formula E teams.

Vergne drove for Toro Rosso in F1 before impressing the Andretti team in his Formula E debut in its inaugural season, grabbing pole position before suspension problems wrecked his hopes of victory.

A move to DS Virgin Racing the following campaign saw him add to his pole tally, but a victory proved elusive.

Switching to Techeetah, a new entry in Formula E, Vergne led the team through a stressful start plagued by accidents and technical issues during the first two races in Hong Kong and in Marrakech.

His perseverance was rewarded with second-place finishes in Buenos Aires and Mexico City.

Vergne's impressive run has helped the Chinese outfit climb to the fourth in the team standings after four races on the 12-stop circuit.

The possibility of nailing his first victory has provided a confidence boost as the series heads to Europe in May.

Vergne holds the lap record in Monaco, which hosts the next race on May 13, and he will enjoy home advantage in Paris, where the sixth race is slated for May 20.

"I know I'm on the right team with the right car to win the championship," Vergne said.

"We're getting stronger as a team with every race."

xujingxi@chinadaily.com.cn