Alguersuari ready for first test

Posted at 12:00am on 01 February 2010

By Alan Baldwin

VALENCIA, Spain, Feb 1 (Reuters) - After eight races as Formula One's youngest ever driver, Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari feels he is ready for his first test.

The 19-year-old Spaniard was highlighted as possibly the most dangerous driver in F1 by one newspaper when he made his debut in Hungary last year with minimal experience of the sport.

He told reporters at the Valencia circuit on Monday, where the new Toro Rosso STR5 was unveiled, that he was ready to take a step up now.

"Last year everything was so fast, and I didn't know the car, didn't know the circuits and didn't know anything, so this year should be much better for me," he said.

"Obviously I was a new driver, had no experience, and it was normal that they could see me in a dangerous situation because I had no experience, I had nothing with a Formula One car," he said of Hungary.

"I understand the comments from the other drivers. I think it was fair enough to make me fast and make me think about my future."

Testing is banned during the Formula One season and Monday's session kicked off the teams' return to the racetrack for the first time since the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.

"Wednesday will be the first Formula One test of my life," said Alguersuari.

"Last year, every race, every single Friday test, every qualifying was a test for me.

"There were 19 cars racing last year and one was testing. For me, a race was a test, and I could not compete against the others because I was at such a disadvantage."

In his eight races, Alguersuari failed to finish five times and produced a best result of 14th.

"I didn't know how to manage the car with a full tank load," he admitted.

"On a test day normally you do 450-500 km. The most mileage I did last year was on a Friday, when normally you have 300km...for the physical and psychological side, it is always nice to do long runs and to experience the car."

Alguersuari will find himself up against Michael Schumacher, making a comeback at the age of 41 and old enough to be the Spaniard's father, for the first time this season.

"Michael's return makes everyone stronger and more motivated... he is a reference for everyone," said Alguersuari.

"He went out of F1... he tried to be fast on the bike. He took a go-kart, he tries to be fast and he competes. This is the type of lifestyle that a driver needs.

"When I arrived in F1 I said I am going to continue in the World Series, because I love cars. I did karts, I did the world championship last year. And I love it. This is my passion and hopefully I can race some other things as well this year.

"This is what motorsport is made of, and that's what I really appreciate on Michael's side."

(Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Email to a friend