04/09/2013
NEWS STORY
Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari is to contest the CIK-FIA World KZ1 Championship with the Tony Kart team.
The Spaniard, who made his F1 (race) debut in 2009 following the dumping of Sebastien Bourdais - thereby (at 19) becoming the youngest ever driver to start a Grand Prix - was himself dropped by the Faenza team at the end of 2011 in favour of the all-new line up comprising Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.
While at first it looked as though the youngster would make a speedy return to the grid this has not proved to be the case, though he is currently employed as a test driver by Pirelli.
Eager to get back to racing, Tony Kart has announced that Alguersuari will drive one of its Racer EVK chassis at the Jean Brun circuit of Varennes in France, running alongside the manufacturer's four official drivers, Marco Ardigo, Rick Dreezen, Flavio Camponeschi and Mirko Torsellini.
"I am very happy to compete in such a category between the most demanding ones in the competitions’ world and with the support of one of the most important teams in the category," said the Spaniard. "The World Championship is very high level and I will do my best to be as good as my teammates. I thank all the team for the trust they give me. The first test sessions of this week in Lonato will be very important in view of the next Varennes appointment."
In two and a half seasons of F1, Alguersuari started 46 races, scoring 29 points. His best results came at Monza and Korea in 2011 when he finished seventh.
Since leaving F1, Alguersuari, who is a keen DJ, has been linked with Indy Car, whilst also carrying out commentating duties with a number of broadcasters.