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Standings leader Jenson Button has warned Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari his Formula One career could be destroyed before it has even started as he prepares for his debut in Hungary this weekend.

The 19-year-old (pictured), who has yet to drive an F1 car around a circuit let alone race one, will become the youngest starter in the sport when he makes his debut for Toro Rosso on Sunday.

"If somebody gives you the opportunity to race in F1, you're going to take it," said Briton Button, who made his debut with Williams as a 20-year-old in 2000. "But at his age it could absolutely destroy his career.

"If it goes well it's fantastic, but it's on a knife's edge, isn't it? There's so much to learn."

Alguersuari arrives from the World Series by Renault after becoming the youngest British Formula Three champion, replacing sacked Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais.

He has completed only two straight-line tests for Toro Rosso as regular testing is now banned during the season as part of cost-cutting measures agreed by all the teams.

"I'm sure he's going to be reasonably quick, but is he going to be as quick as Bourdais?" asked Brawn GP star Button.

"I shouldn't think so. He definitely won't be (as quick) here, he might be later on in the season but I don't know how many races they will give him.

"It's a difficult position to be in... because when someone says 'You've got the drive' it's difficult to turn around and say 'Well no, I'm not ready yet. I need more experience'.

"It's your dream to race in Formula One but it could end his dream of being competitive in Formula One."

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who last year became the youngest champion at the age of 23, recalled how he almost replaced Juan Pablo Montoya for the final three races of 2006 when the Colombian abruptly left.

"I was going to replace him at China, Japan and Brazil, and I'd only done straight-line tests," he said.

"It would have been the worst move of my career because it took me eight days of strong, core test days before I was really feeling comfortable in the car and matching the pace of Pedro (de la Rosa) and starting to compete with the other guys.

"It takes confidence, a lot of preparation. If I hadn't had that testing and I'd gone into Brazil, who knows if I'd have got my drive for the next year."

Alguersuari, whose compatriot and double world champion Fernando Alonso had earlier advised him privately to 'have fun and enjoy the moment', appeared unfazed.

"At the end it's just another car for me, another car in my racing career, in my life," he said. "I am relaxed, I know what I can do and what people expect from me. At the end, it's just one steering wheel and two pedals."

Red Bull's Mark Webber, who finally won this month after 130 starts, said he would not have been ready at such an age.

"I've never been a big fan of Formula One being a learning school, but it seems like it is these days," said the Australian. "I don't think Formula One is a learning school. When you arrive in Formula One you should be ready.

"I'm sure Jaime won't be like that. He'll be quick enough, and he is going to learn. But they are coming younger every time, and that's the way it is."

Stay with Eurosport-Yahoo! for all the build-up to this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, plus LIVE comments and timing from all practice sessions, qualifying and the race itself!

Reuters