19 year old to become youngest Formula One driver
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Jaime Alguersuari will become the youngest driver to race in Formula One this weekend, and is drawing criticism from fellow drivers about his inexperience even before the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Spaniard spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since taking over for 30-year-old Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais. Alguersuari said his objective this season is to simply figure out what being an F1 driver is all about.
"I know I’m not really experienced, I know I don’t have mileage with the car, but that’s what we’re here for," said Alguersuari, who joins from Renault’s World Series. "It’s a new car for me, a new championship for me, but I have to learn."
Alguersuari will set the age record Sunday at 19 years, 126 days, breaking New Zealand driver Mike Thackwell’s mark by 57 days.
