FORMULA ONE newcomer Jaime Alguersuari is paying an emotional tribute to his pal Henry Surtees, who was tragically killed on a race track.
The Spaniard, 19, had the message 'Ciao Henry' on his helmet as he made his Grand Prix bow during practice in Hungary yesterday.
Surtees, 18, the son of Formula One and motorbike legend John, died after being struck by a loose tyre while racing in F2 at Brands Hatch last Sunday.
Alguersuari was a team-mate of Surtees in F3 last year. The Toro Rosso driver said: "This weekend was going to be perhaps the best of my life.
"But now there is a shadow. My prayers go out to his family and for everyone involved in motorsport.
"Henry was a big friend. I spent a day at Alton Towers with him and we had good fun but he was also a very talented driver - very strong.
"I never expected something like this to happen. It is a sad day and sad season for everyone in motorsport.
"I will try to do my best in the future and for the Surtees family this weekend."
Inexperienced Alguersuari had been branded a danger by other drivers having been given his Grand Prix break after just two straight line aero tests.
But he hit back at his critics after coming through his baptism with flying colours on the searingly-hot Hungaroring track in Budapest.
The Barcelona-born driver said: "I don't think I'm a danger. But I don't care what other people said.
"I know what my expectations are and what my target is. I didn't make any mistakes and I hope I don't in the race.
"At the end my target is to drive the car and limit mistakes. Then we will talk about times and speed.
"I just did not want to go into a barrier and end my weekend early."
Alguersuari finished bottom of the time-sheets after racking up 82 laps.
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The rookie's only blemish came when he stalled at the top of the pit lane and he was just 0.8secs off the pace set by team-mate Sebastien Buemi.
While Alguersuari is just starting out in F1, Rubens Barrichello is beginning to think about retirement.
The Brazilian, 37, has made 276 GP starts over 17 years. The Brawn driver said: "Ninety five per cent of my feelings are to keep on. But five per cent tells me 'Why do you need it?'
"It's something that's on my mind, even though it's only five per cent. But next year is too far away for me to decide anything."
File photo of Fernando Alonso (2009)
Hungaroring
Renault driver Fernando Alonso takes pole in a qualification session on Saturday for tomorrow's 2009 ING Magyar Nagydij at Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary.

Two Red Bull cars also with Renault engines are right on the back of the Spaniard.

McLaren-Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are split by Nico Rosberg's Williams 5th on the starting grid.

Kimi Raikkonen qualified 7th for Ferrari.

Felipe Massa (2008) 
His teammate Felipe Massa was taken out of the track by a medical helicopter after a violent crash straight into the wall of tyres. A Ferrari spokesman says Brazilian driver "will remain in intensive care, although the team does not know how long he will stay under observation. He was conscious and in stable condition when he arrived at AEK hospital by helicopter with a concussion." Later Massa underwent a successful surgery on fractured skull. It was said Massa was knocked unconscious after debris striked his helmet.

On Sunday July 19, Formula Two driver Henry Surtees, 18 year old son of 1964 Formula One champion John Surtees, died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries. During the race at Brands Hatch Jack Clarke crashed his car into the wall and sent one of its wheels across the circuit. The wheel impacted precisely with the head of Surtees.

The F1 rookie driver Jaime Alguersuari, who was a team-mate of Surtees at the British F3 season finale at Donington Park last year, and now will drive a Toro Rosso in a race for the first time, wrote the words of tribute to his friend saying "Ciao Henry" on his helmet.

Championship leader Jenson Button will start from 8th place for Brawn; his worst qualifying of the 2009 season.