Jaime Alguersuari has paid a touching tribute to his trainer, Raniero Gianotti, who died at the weekend.

Gianotti, who had worked at the Stewart F1 team before moving to Ferrari, Toyota and finally Toro Rosso, has worked with a wide variety of drivers over the years including Sebastian Vettel.

Cycling with friends in Urbino, in the Marche region of Italy at the weekend, the 46-year-old suffered a heart attack.

A number of drivers who had worked with Gianotti were quick to tweet their sadness at the news. "It was so sad when I received the news that my great friend and physio Raniero passed away this morning, We worked together at Stewart GP and Ferrari. RIP Raniero, I will miss you." wrote Rubens Barrichello, while Jaime Alguersuari added: "Today I've lost a brother. Raniero will always be on my heart. I've reached everything thanks to him. He will always be on my mind. I love you Raniero."

In a touching statement issued today, Alguersuari, who according to Spanish sports daily AS has rejected an offer to join HRT this season, writes: "Tomorrow, God willing, I will be in Urbino, accompanying Nadia and Luca, the wife and son of the person who I have loved and who has loved me the most in Formula One, Raniero Gianotti.

"For me, he was more than a friend, he was a brother. I debuted in F1 with just 19 years old and I had never done a full lap in an F1 in any circuit.
Raniero was my guide and comfort in my troubles.

"In these three years we have lived together in the most diverse countries in the world, in his house in Urbino and at my family's house in Barcelona. He was the best professional I've known both in the physical preparation applied to F1 as in knowledge of the paddock.

"A few days ago he called to tell me: 'Don't worry about your future, Jaime, because you are the future'. I will never forget him, and I can only say 'Ever onward to victory, Raniero'. We will continue to fight against the adversity.