Will Red Bull bring JEV back to F1 next year?

[John S]

Rumours doing the rounds suggest that Jean-Eric Vernge might be drafted back in at Toro Rosso to fill the seat vacated by Gasly moving on to the top team.
JEV himself admits he has been contacted by an F1 team to find if he's available next term but doesn't name them.
- “Curiouser and curiouser?”. 

We know there's no one in the Red Bull junior program able to get an F1 super licence so a Formula E world champ and ex STR driver just might fit the bill.

Ironically if Hartley stays at STR next year and JEV joins it'll suddenly become the Red Bull seniors team instead of the junior one.     

[Calman]

I can't see it myself. 

Although JEV seemed like a capable driver, it comes down to that constantly turning drum in F1, where I would expect them to find the best young talent available by 2019.  In a way, I would like to be wrong, but I would favour a grid shuffle or one of the new boys, ready to dip their toes into F1 racing!!

Best Regards,
Cal

[John S]

As far as I know there is no one on Red Bull books presently with enough points to get an F1 superlicence Calman, you will recall Dan Ticktum was not allowed to test for RBR/STR at a recent test, I'm sure he's the only one in the wings. Jake Dennis who currently drives for Aston Martin in GT endurance series was drafted in by Red Bull at the Hungarian young driver test, mainly because Ticktum was not allowed and there is no one else. Ah but then again Marko is unhappy with the other Endurance champ Hartley. 

Its why Marko has been trying to get his paws on Lando Norris who is contracted to McLaren currently. All the other hot shoes capable of getting F1 superlicence are contracted to other teams. Red Bull don't normally take Merc, Ferrari or Renault contracted juniors, don't think the teams will let them go either. 

[Alianora La Canta]

This is where obsessing with Max gets you, Red Bull people. Jean-Eric would be a decent pick but not someone the Red Bull people will have wanted to have to choose.

[Calman]

Well, with JEV's crown in FE and RBR's lack of options, I would be happy to see him return to F1, but have a sneaky feeling, that some other politics may get in the way.  Like I say, I would be happy to be wrong, so see how it all shakes out in the driver market for 2019!!!

Best Regards,
Cal

[Scott]

So probably the next missing piece is Kimi.  When Ferrari decides, other drives will fall into place.  I don’t think anyone will sign another rookie until he is inked in at Ferrari or elsewhere.

[Jericoke]

I can't see it myself. 

Although JEV seemed like a capable driver, it comes down to that constantly turning drum in F1, where I would expect them to find the best young talent available by 2019.  In a way, I would like to be wrong, but I would favour a grid shuffle or one of the new boys, ready to dip their toes into F1 racing!!

Best Regards,
Cal

F1 moves in trends, the trend lately has been to find the youngest talent available.  Maybe things are turning, and teams are going to start looking for the best driver available, regardless of age.

I would think having an experienced winner would be worth more than a kid with 'potential', especially since an F1 driver isn't an investment for 10 years, but only 2 or 3 seasons for the most part.