Alguersuari decries F1 seat ’auction’

As the F1 world looks set to race on without him, Jaime Alguersuari has decried a sport whose seats are now sold to the highest bidder.

Accepting that his hopes of returning in 2013 are dashed, the former Toro Rosso driver revealed that he had talks with a team this year that ultimately decided to sign a different driver.

In a statement issued by his management, Alguersuari indicated he will keep working with Pirelli instead.

"I have been convinced most of the 2012 season that my seat was secured in a team that usually scores," said the Spaniard. "They did tell me and I believed it to be true."

However, it "has not happened," the 22-year-old acknowledged, adding that F1 in the pay-driver era has "become an auction".

But he has not given up hope completely, insisting he is "convinced" he deserves a place on the grid even though the only Spanish sponsor that considers F1 a "profitable and sustainable business" is Ferrari’s Santander.

“I never imagined that after Red Bull’s incomprehensible decision not to count on me in 2012, having done my best sporting season in F1, I would have to fight so much outside the track to finally assume that in 2013 I will not be in F1.

“I assure everyone that I have been convinced most of the 2012 F1 season that my seat was secured in a team that usually scores. So they did tell me, and I believed it to be true.

“Due to this conviction I passed up other opportunities in other championships. I’ve looked in faith and longing that the value of my sporting career, and the verbal commitments received, would materialize with my return to F1 in 2013. This has not happened.

“Those who committed themselves with me have given me reasons that I must accept, but that I do not share. F1 has become an auction.

“My sole dream is to drive for a team that allows me to finish in the Top 5. I will play all my cards the best I can and keep betting for talent, experience and background, no need so say much more.”

“Is my career over in F1 at 22 years old? Despite everything, I strongly don’t think so. By waiting for F1 I lost other interesting options, but instead I must thank Paul Hembery from Pirelli Motorsport, for his unalterable confidence placed in me, by announcing that he counts on me for the development test.

“So I will continue active in Formula One, and completing more kilometres than any third driver in this discipline.

“Although Spain’s economy is in the worst shape in our modern history, and except for the Bank of Santander, no other company considers Formula One as a profitable and sustainable business, I know how old I am, I know my track record and I’m convinced that I deserve a winning car in F1. And I will keep fighting for it.”

Another former F1 driver, Martin Brundle, said the fact economics are locking talented names out of the sport is "sad" but simply "the business" of grand prix racing.

"They all had their chances to shine," the vetearn of 158 grands prix told broadcaster Sky’s F1 Show.

"Maybe that sounds a bit brutal, but they had their chances to shine," he added, also referring to the newly-ousted talents including Timo Glock, Heikki Kovalainen and Kamui Kobayashi.

"Just like when I got kicked out of F1, you had your chances, nothing else was there and it’s about the fresh blood," said Brundle.

Instead, the Briton said he is looking forward to watching newcomers like Max Chilton, Giedo van der Garde, Luiz Razia, Esteban Gutierrez, Valtteri Bottas and others try to prove themselves.

"I looked at Gutierrez (at the Jerez test) and thought ’how’s he going to go?’," Brundle said.

"If it had been Kobayashi, you’d pretty much know how he was going to go — he’d be amazing from time to time, pull off a few great overtakes, and be on the missing list for the rest of the season."