Alguersuari delighted with climb to eighth

VALENCIA, Spain, June 26, 2011 (AFP) - Jaime Alguersuari was delighted after climbing ten places to finish eighth in Sunday's European Grand Prix.

Despite a disappointing qualifying performance which saw him start in 18th place, the 21-year-old Toro Rosso driver charged round the streets of Valencia before claiming his second successive points finish.

The delighted Spaniard suggested his success was down to his team's efforts in setting up his car. He said: "I am very happy with this result, especially after I only qualified in eighteenth place!

"It definitely paid off to concentrate on race set-up. This was a fantastic race and I want to thank my mechanics who worked so hard after the problems we had with my car on Friday during Free Practice. This result is a reward I am happy to give them."

Alguersuari added that he has now come to terms with racing with the problematic Pirelli tyres.

"Even though I still struggle to get the best out of the tyres in qualifying, I feel I now have a much better understanding of how to use them in the race and that's definitely the best way round as the points are only
given out after the race!

"We were able to run at a consistent pace all afternoon, which was the key to this result and it's the first time this season that I have had this feeling from the car and I am happy about that."