Sponsors pay 2 million euros for Alguersuari's debut

Jaime Alguersuari's debut in F1 will be sponsored by two major Spanish companies. Toro Rosso is expected to confirm the nineteen-year-old Spaniard on Monday to replace the fired Bourdais. Iberian media say that the pilot has the support of the oil company Repsol and the bank La Caixa.

Some sources claim that the two companies have allocated a sponsorship of 2 million euros to the Faenza team, thus guaranteeing Alguesuari's place starting from the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Even if Toro Rosso were to decide to fire the rookie after the Valencia Grand Prix, the team could keep the money received, at least this is what the Spanish newspaper AS claims.

Current Ferrari test driver Marc Gene is a friend of Alguersuari, but the experienced driver believes the teenager will face "the most difficult debut in the history" of the sport.

“Jaime is ready, but there are many factors working against him,” the fresh winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans told the newspaper Diario Sport.

Gene said the test ban means Alguersuari has never done any proper testing in an F1 car, while Hungary is one of the "most difficult" circuits on the calendar.

Andre' Cotta