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Alonso Welcomes Alguersuari in F1

Jaime Alguersuari will not only become the youngest driver to start a Formula One race this weekend, but also the second Spaniard on the F1 grid. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is currently the only competitor representing Spain in the Great Circle, and the Renault driver seems more than happy with being joined by a countryman in the remaining rounds of 2009.

Although everybody's insisting that the former British Formula 3 champion is too young and unexperienced to join the F1 field, Alonso believes he is all for young drivers making their debut in Formula One. While reckoning that the lack of testing might pose a problem for the Spanish teenager, Alonso believes it's better for Alguersuari to start an F1 race sooner rather than later.

All the signs are that he is very good. If you are a formula one driver it is because you are good, so no one should worry. I am in favor of beginning as young as possible. I congratulate him and wish him a splendid future,” Alonso was quoted as saying to the news agency EFE.

Alonso himself debuted in Formula One at the age of 19, being one of the youngest drivers to ever set foot in the sport. Actually, there were more than few voices in Spain that named Alguersuari “the next Alonso”, as he's currently the most promising Spanish drivers in his generation.

The new Scuderia Toro Rosso driver has only conducted two straight line aerodynamic tests with the STR4 this year, as in-season testing has been banned by the FIA for 2009. The last of those tests was conducted on the newly-improved STR4, as the car was fitted with a major upgrade for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

As far as he's concerned, the lack of experience will not be such a big problem to overcome as compared to the fitness level required to complete an F1 grand prix. Alguersuari admitted this is the one area where he needs to improve dramatically in the upcoming few weeks.

The most difficult thing will be the fitness. The race is much longer than I am used to,” admitted the Spaniard.
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