Alguersuari wants to follow in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso

Whether in football, tennis, handball, basketball, motorcycling, or Formula One, Spain plays a leading role on the world sports stage. By winning in Valencia for the European Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso lifted the spirits of the Spanish people affected by the crisis, but far from experiencing it on fields and circuits around the world.

However, there was one Spaniard who was not necessarily in a festive mood on Sunday evening since Jaime Alguersuari, formerly a Toro Rosso driver and currently a test driver for Pirelli, merely watched the race as a spectator: « Although I was happy for Fernando, Sunday was a difficult day because I really wanted to be part of this race after having competed in it the past three seasons. I really miss Formula One: it would be a good year to be involved. Everything is so close-knit, you can play a lot with strategy, tire management is so important. »

But the driver with 46 Grand Prix, who had stopped negotiating with Lotus convinced to continue the adventure with Toro Rosso – to whom he wanted to remain loyal – does not despair of finding a place on the starting grids again in 2013 and believes that his 2012 season will be useful to him. “I just have to wait for my time. I’m quite sure I’ll be racing in Formula One again next year, with a good team,” confides the Barcelona native. “I’m only 22, I’ve scored 31 points in Formula One, and what I’m trying to do with my work for BBC Radio 5 Live and as a Pirelli test driver this year is to better develop and understand myself, and pave the way for a better future in Formula One.”

Moreover, this is exactly the wish that Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, has for him, as they are currently participating in tests at Spa-Francorchamps: “These days, there are few opportunities for a driver to drive a Formula One. Currently, Jaime covers nearly 700 kilometers per day, which is equivalent to two Grand Prix races. This year, he will participate in six test sessions, which fundamentally represents twelve Grand Prix races. For him, it’s a fantastic opportunity to come back, and I hope he will be able to because he has the talent,” stated the Briton in the columns of the Spanish publication El Confidencial. Paul Hembery also recalls the example of Romain Grosjean, who was once a test driver for the Milan-based company: “Sometimes, you have to take a step back to make a step forward, like Grosjean, who had a difficult start but can now demonstrate his maturity and preparation. I hope the same will happen for Jaime.”

In any case, true to his reputation as a driver confident in his talent, the Spaniard dreams of following in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso: « My goal is to walk in Fernando’s footsteps. My dream is to become the No. 1 Spaniard and to become world champion in a few years. This week, I’m in Spa, Belgium, to work with Pirelli on the development of next season’s tires, and I’m really looking forward to it. »