Former Red Bull-backed driver claims Fernando Alonso was ‘uncomfortable’ with his presence in F1

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Ex-Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari has claimed that Fernando Alonso was ‘uncomfortable’ with him being in Formula 1.

Alguersuari, 36, drove for Toro Rosso from 2009 to 2011, taking part in 46 races and scoring a total of 31 points. 

At the end of the 2011 season, Alguersuari was replaced at Toro Rosso by Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo. 

After leaving F1, Alguersuari competed in Formula E from 2014 to 2015, driving for Virgin Racing. 

In 2015, the Spaniard announced his retirement from all forms of motorsport after ‘falling out of love’.

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Jaime Alguersuari claims Fernando Alonso was ‘uncomfortable’ with his presence in F1

Speaking recently to Spanish news outlet Sport, Alguersuari spoke about his time in F1 and claimed that two-time world champion Alonso was ‘uncomfortable’ with his presence. 

He said: “Fernando (Alonso) was uncomfortable with me being there; it was his territory.

“He didn’t like it, being sponsored by the Red Bull academy, with the possibility of having a good car in the future. I would have handled things differently if it happened now.”

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Jaime Alguersuari recalls ‘strange’ and ‘odd’ way his career ended

Alguersuari also spoke about how his career came to an end in a ‘strange’ and ‘odd’ way.  

Despite feeling in top shape physically and emotionally, the Spanish driver stated that Franz Tost told him he no longer had a seat.

Surprised by the news, Alguersuari sought clarification from Helmut Marko but was ultimately left disappointed.

Alguersuari said: “I’d say my career ended in a strange, odd way, and I still don’t know why. I was at my physical and emotional peak and we were beating superior teams.

“On December 15th, I went to the team presentation in Madrid, and the next day, the team manager, Franz Tost, called me and told me I was out. Then I called Helmut Marko to see if it was a joke. He said no.

“The problem was that I couldn’t accept the situation because they told me so late that I couldn’t sign with another team. It took me a while to understand that life goes on, but at first, I didn’t want to accept it.”