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Jaime Alguersuari insists he has no problem with new Friday driver Daniel Ricciardo breathing down the necks of Toro Rosso’s regular racers in 2011.
Australian Ricciardo is the new cream of Red Bull’s young driver programme and next in line to take a Toro Rosso to the grid.
In 2011, the 21-year-old will switch between Alguersuari and teammate Sebastien Buemi’s race cars in the Friday morning practice sessions, but Spaniard Alguersuari insists he fully accepts the situation.
“His appointment is a very good confirmation of the operation of the Red Bull junior team,” said 20-year-old Alguersuari.
“Without this programme and the determination of Dr Helmut Marko, I would not be in formula one,” he is quoted by France’s autohebdo.fr.
Marko’s driver development scheme has gained a reputation over the years for being particularly cut-throat, but Alguersuari has only praise.
“Sure, but that’s what the Red Bull programme has taught us. For us there is nothing more normal than to see Ricciardo, Buemi, Vettel or myself do our best without worrying about the others,” he insisted.
Alguersuari therefore wishes Ricciardo all the best for 2011.
“His participation in the Friday practices will be a great experience for him, because he will be sharing information with me and Buemi and it will make him a better driver and a serious candidate for a place at Toro Rosso in the future,” he said.
Using a football analogy, Alguersuari contrasted Red Bull’s approach to drivers with Ferrari’s.
“Red Bull is like Barcelona, building its drivers from when they are 15 and turning them into champions,” he is quoted by Diario AS in Spain.
“Ferrari is more like Real Madrid, buying the most expensive players in the market.”
© RIF | GMM
