STR predicts big 2011 for Alguersuari

The 20-year-old Spaniard finished the season by beating Felipe Massa to ninth place in Abu Dhabi. That only raised his points tally to eight, three less than team-mate Sebastien Buemi, but Tost said that looking beyond the results, Alguersuari had impressed him a great deal this year.

"[It was] not only a strong end of the season, Jaime generally had a good season," Todt told AUTOSPORT.

"Remember back in Australia when he fought against Michael Schumacher for 30 laps. In Malaysia he did a fantastic race. There have been a lot of highlights."

Former British Formula 3 champion Alguersuari was famously promoted from Formula Renault 3.5 to the Toro Rosso F1 race seat mid-way through 2009 without any testing after the team had dismissed Sebastien Bourdais.

Tost said that this year Alguersuari had a chance to build experience and settle into F1 properly, and that with a full season under his belt, he was now poised for an impressive 2011 - provided Toro Rosso gave him a competitive car.

"I think that he learned this season how to set up the car, how to drive the car, and I'm looking forward to the next season because I think he has matured enough to continue improving himself," said Tost.

"But we must also give him the right tools. He still needs a good car, and then I'm convinced he can do an even better job."