Davidson motivated by Minardi chance

To recap: Michael Schumacher is champion again, Ferrari are about to be champions again, the usual drivers and teams are scrambling for the leftovers and Arrows are in a mess.

The high-summer break has scarcely managed to breathe new life into the Formula One season but a significant change has presented an unexpected opportunity to a promising British driver.

Anthony Davidson, BAR- Honda's test driver, has been called up by Minardi and is due to make his debut here in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. He replaces the hapless Malaysian, Alex Yoong, who failed to qualify for three of this season's races.

Davidson, 23, is also to drive for Minardi in Belgium as the team give Yoong extended leave in the hope that he might find the confidence to raise his game. Even the not so cynical in these parts consider that a lost cause.

However, Davidson just might demonstrate the potential of a driver worthy of his place in Formula One. That is his intention, but first things first. He has to fix the seat to his liking and find some overalls that fit his diminutive frame.

"The team's overalls are made by an Italian company and of course they're on holiday at the moment,'' said Davidson, who lives in Brackley. "So if you see me looking like Jacques Villeneuve you'll know why.''

Pounding out upwards of 10,000 test miles for the sartorially eccentric Villeneuve and Olivier Panis at BAR has reinforced Davidson's already considerable reputation. He gave as good as he got in 10 years of karting against Jenson Button and last season, only his second in car racing, he was runner-up to Takuma Sato in the British Formula Three Championship.

Glowing reports from the BAR camp almost carried him to a racing role alongside Sato at Jordan-Honda in last month's German Grand Prix, but Giancarlo Fisichella recovered from an accident and Davidson's excitement was deflated. Then his holiday in Finland was interrupted last Thursday by a telephone call asking him about his proposed drive with Minardi. On Saturday his job was confirmed.

He said: "I honestly knew nothing about it until that call last week. The agreement is for these two races but there is a chance it could be extended beyond that.

"I was gutted when the Jordan thing fell through but BAR helped me get this opportunity and it is ideal. I have to learn everything, I know that, and then qualify. That is my objective.

"I'll be satisfied if I get through the weekend with no dramas and doing a respectable job. I'll have to learn how to stay out of trouble and get lapped in the right way. That will be different. I've never had to look in my mirrors before.

"I don't feel at all intimidated by racing against these guys. I've been out there doing a lot of testing with them and it was probably more nerve-racking going out there for the first time with them than this is now. The difference between this and testing is that I'll have to be more selfish. I'll try my best not to cause any fuss or confusion."

Not that Davidson should be considered the submissive type. In less than 50 car races he established himself as quick, competitive and determined. Renewing his acquaintance with Button is just a part of the thrill.

He said: "We raced against each other in karts from the age of eight to 18 and were always really close. To think we're now back together on the same grid in Formula One is amazing. Jenson's breakthrough in Formula One definitely inspired me. But now I have a job to do here. I think the fact that this car is not as good as the BAR will make it easier for me. If I can get to within half a second of my team-mate [Mark Weber] in qualifying and finish the race that will be the perfect weekend.''

Davidson has been linked with a move to the American racing scene and rumours suggest Villeneuve might return to North America. But the former champion, whose contract with BAR is worth £13m a year, said: "I know nothing about an American offer. I have got a good contract for next year and see no reason to change it.''

David Richards, BAR's team principal, has made it known that Villeneuve's salary is a drain on resources and is seeking a longer-term commitment from the Canadian. Villeneuve responded: "I would be open to a longer-term contract if I had one proposed to me. But there's been no proposition from anywhere."