Abu Dhabi link could power Alguersuari to Mercedes
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| Jaime Alguersuari |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false today. He may not have a race or even a reserve seat, but Jaime Alguersuari will at least be a regular face in the formula one paddock in 2012.
The axed Toro Rosso driver will be experienced broadcaster James Allen's co-commentator for British radio BBC 5 Live, the Telegraph newspaper reports.
Journalist Tom Cary said the news will be confirmed officially on Tuesday.
Still just 21, Spaniard Alguersuari revealed last month that he will remain fully focused on formula one this year.
"I am thinking only of F1," he said. "What I can say is that I will devote myself body and soul to F1 in 2012.
"I will prepare myself, with no contractual relationships with anyone, to be ready and available for any opportunity that arises."
01/30/12 (GMM) After his Toro Rosso ousting, Jaime Alguersuari could emerge with the Mercedes team in 2012.
The Spanish sports daily AS reports that Ipic, Abu Dhabi's international petroleum investment company, is unhappy with Red Bull for ousting the young Spaniard from its driver program.
IPIC owns the Spanish oil company Cepsa, which last year became a major Toro Rosso sponsor.
Alguersuari, according to the report, "had become the image of the company in its international expansion plans".
Through its investment vehicle Aabar, Abu Dhabi is also involved in F1 as a significant shareholder and sponsor of the works Mercedes team.
AS said the Abu Dhabi link could see Alguersuari, 21, line up as the official reserve driver for Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg this year.
The report added that an Abu Dhabi-backed Alguersuari could be important to Mercedes, amid rumors the team's title sponsor Petronas might leave the sport.
Petronas, the Malaysian oil company, recently stopped sponsoring the Yamaha team in MotoGP.