Jean-Eric Vergne has insisted that missing out on a drive at Red Bull for 2014 was a good thing for his career.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was chosen to replace fellow countryman Mark Webber as teammate to four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and, despite initially expressing his disappointment at being overlooked, the 23-year-old is confident that he is in a good position.

He told ESPN: "I really took the time this winter to look myself in the mirror and realise things, and I realised it was actually good for me not to have gone to Red Bull, I believe.

"I'm happy to be here and it's made me a lot stronger as a driver because, as I saw myself last year compared to this year, I was a really weak driver in the head.

"I see Toro Rosso as having really big potential. To be honest, I'm extremely happy about being in this team this year. I think I am in a good position with Toro Rosso and I think they have really good plans in the pipeline."

Toro Rosso finished eighth in the 2013 team standings.