Jaime Alguersuari signed as Pirelli's test driver alongside Lucas di Grassi

The Spanish racer was left without a drive for this season after being dropped by Toro Rosso, with which he was expecting to race this year in Formula 1.

Alguersuari will join di Grassi at Pirelli's test team, the Italian manufacturer having two permanent test drivers for the first time.

Pirelli will be using a 2010 Renault R30 for its testing programme, which includes four tests at Jerez, Spa, Monza and Barcelona.

The tests will be aimed at defining the 2013 range of Pirelli tyres.

"I'm very happy indeed to have this fantastic opportunity," said Alguersuari, who has joined the BBC as a commentator for this year. "A week ago it was my birthday, when I turned 22, and now Pirelli has given me the best possible present.

"I can't wait to get started with this very important and challenging job of developing the new tyres for the future, which I'm looking forward to a lot. I have a huge desire to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car again and return to competition, so this is a brilliant chance for me."

Alguersuari had told AUTOSPORT at the Australian Grand Prix that his desire was to return to the wheel of a Formula 1 car as soon as possible.

"I think I deserve a seat in F1 and that's what I'm looking for," Alguersuari told AUTOSPORT. "At the moment, I'm with the BBC, which is good because it keeps me in F1 and gives me another perspective, but my objective is to be back here racing and to show what I can do.

"I demonstrated last year that I'm a talented driver and did the maximum with the car that I had. I don't know if I'm going to get back into F1, but I have two-and-a-half years of experience, I know how the cars work and I'm here to take any chance that I can get.

"The best thing for me is to find a way to keep me in an F1 car."