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Alguersuari Replaces Hartley as Red Bull Reserve

Red Bull Racing have announced a change in the drivers' lineup for 2009. Don't worry now, it's got nothing to do with the team's leading drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, but relates to the job of test & reserve driver Brendon Hartley.

As of the upcoming German Grand Prix, the New Zealander will no longer hold that position within either Red Bull Racing or Scuderia Toro Rosso, as he will be replaced by Spaniard teenager Jaime Alguersuari.

Hartley didn't actually get to be Red Bull's reserve driver much this season, as he had to wait until the Spanish Grand Prix to get his super-license. In fact, the Barcelona round was the only one where the 19-year old driver was actually seen at the RBR pit box. Until Formula One's European debut this season, the Milton Keynes based team maintained F1 veteran David Coulthard in that position.

Switching reserve drivers in the mid-season is “part of its (Red Bull's) young driver training programme”, as confirmed by a statement from the Austrian company.

Having benefited from this experience over the first half of the year, Hartley will now concentrate on his own racing programme in the European F3 series,” added the statement.

Alguersuari is no stranger from Formula One racing, as he did a few tests with Red Bull during the 2008 season. Last year, the Spaniard won the British F1 Championship and made his first appearance in the Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium, replacing injured Mark Webber. Alguersuari will continue in the British Series this year also, while also debuting in the World Series by Renault.
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