Hungarian Grand Prix: Toro Rosso have taken a huge risk over Jaime Alguersuari

Date published : 24 Jul 2009 - 19:27:20

First and foremost, questions should be asked of the governing body as to why a driver with Jaime Alguersuari's level of experience is being allowed to race for Toro Rosso tomorrow. Alguersuari simply cannot know what it feels like to go wheel to wheel with another car at 200mph into a corner. You could say that no one does until they actually race a F1 car, however much practice they get in beforehand. But the difference is that any other driver would already be comfortable with the car's technical requirements.  Related ArticlesRookie starts respectablyDrivers fear for AlguersuariHungarian GP circuit guideRally driver Loeb linked with F1 switchAlguersuari to make historyTeenager to replace BourdaisFormula One is a massive stage and technically it is in a different league from anything else. You have so much to think about. Even the steering wheels, which have evolved massively from my era, take days to get used to. The pit stops are an art form in themselves, while the rules and regulations are mind-boggling. There is no way that you can absorb all of this in a race weekend and it will take a very strong team stronger, I fear, than Toro Rosso to facilitate this learning process. It has certainly met with derision from the more established drivers. Remember, Alguersuari is entering an arena in which all the participants know each other's strengths and weaknesses but they have no frame of reference where he is concerned. They haven't seen him at winter testing. All they know is that he is the British Formula Three champion and that he has minimal experience. I hope for his sake, and for the sake of the team, that it works out. He did reasonably well in practice on Friday and will have learnt a lot from his 82 laps. But a race situation is totally different. Granted, the Hungaroring is not the most difficult circuit on the calendar, but it is very physical. There is hardly any time to catch breath, especially if it is hot. When you start to lose concentration, you start to make mistakes. As far as the race itself is concerned, Ferrari and McLaren are looking much more competitive but I'm going to stick my neck out and back Jenson Button to end Red Bull's recent streak tomorrow. The circuit is similar to Monaco in that good downforce is needed and the Brawn cars will fare well in Hungary's lower-speed corners, where more traction is needed. Mark Blundell for Arbuthnot Latham Private Bank