Mar.1 (GMM) Jaime Alguersuari's father has confirmed speculation the Spaniard almost lost his Toro Rosso race seat for 2010.

Before the Red Bull-owned team announced the re-signing of the 19-year-old driver for this season, it was rumoured Toro Rosso had demanded he bring some sponsorship funding to the seat.

"At the time, it (the speculation) was true," his father Jaume, involved in the running of the Formula Renault 3.5 series, is quoted as saying by El Pais.

"I went to most of the large Spanish companies but had to return to (team boss Franz) Tost and say I found nothing. He was devastated.

"But in the end everything worked out," Alguersuari Snr said.

The newspaper said Alguersuari, whose 2010 retainer is about EUR300,000, is still not substantially backed by any sponsors.

El Pais said the decision to retain Alguersuari was made by Dietrich Mateschitz's motor racing advisor Helmut Marko.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version