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Source: 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."
Banned
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."
Schumacher
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."
