Former Toro Rosso has announced his retirement from motor racing at the age of 25 to begin a new career in music – under the stage name Squire.
Alguersuari became the youngest Formula 1 driver ever when he started his first race at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix: he was also the first born in the 1990s to compete in F1. During his three-year F1 career, he scored 31 points in 46 races.
The Spanish former racer also has a title to his name – he was the 2008 winner of the British Formula Three Championship, beating current F1 racer Sergio Perez in the process.
He also raced in Formula Renault 3.5 during 2009, winning a race during the season, although his title challenge was stymied by his concurrent promotion into F1: he finished the year third in the points.
After F1, Alguersuari raced in the Formula E championship in 2014 and 2015 – but missed the final two races of 2015 after fainting at the end of the Moscow ePrix in June; the FIA withdrew his racing licence while he underwent tests.
Now, Alguersuari has officially retired from motorsport – but says it’s unrelated to his health issues. “I’m fine with no illness, but I have decided to stop because it is a time for a change.
“Something tells me it’s time to take another road because I think I have fallen out of love with this bride who has been with me all of my life.”
The accomplished DJ and musician will now focus full-time on his music career, following up the 2011 album he released under the name Squire (which you can listen to on Spotify).
Alguersuari admitted “I have many people around me who do not understand my decision, but I want to live honestly, and that is now how I have felt in motor sport”.
“I do not want more money,” he told Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, “I want to live the truth.” From one type of track to another: all the best, Jamie Alguersuari and Squire.