Super Aguri refugee and Monaco specialist Anthony Davidson is chomping at the bit to go racing again, no more so than this weekend when he’ll watch his peers go hammer and tongs at the most prestigious circuit in the world.
Davidson, one of the few drivers not to have cashed in on a glamorous tax-free lifestyle at the Monaco Principality the British ace instead preferring the quiet countryside of Northamptonshire is gutted not to be making the tortuous dash around the harbour streets this year.
“It’s really frustrating to be sitting on the sidelines for this one,” Davidson told Forumula1.com. “Monaco is one of the circuits where a driver can make a difference even in a modern Formula One car.
“It’s a great track for any driver to drive around, in any car. So yeah it’s gutting not to be taking part this year.”
The 29-year-old has a fine record at Monte Carlo making his absence, due to the collapse of Super Aguri earlier this year, even more unbearable.
In 2004 Davidson burst onto the scene as Honda’s test and reserve driver setting a blistering pace around the street circuit and lapping within touching distance of Michael Schumacher. He followed it up with an equally impressive display in Friday warm up in 2006 before out-qualifying five other drivers, including his team-mate Takuma Sato, in the inferior Super Aguri last year.
“Monaco was a real eye opener for other people and it put me on the map,” says Davidson. “To go second fastest to Michael in my first ever time there in a Formula One car, well my first ever time there period, was really good and people could no longer doubt my speed and consistency.”
Davidson made the gutsy decision to go racing with the Super Aguri this year even though he received other offers.
And despite being unexpectedly forced out of Formula One this year, the British driver is adamant he is quick enough for motorsport’s premier series and hopes for a return to action next year.
“I feel I belong there. I feel I’ve done enough to have a proper go at it and I think I was only scratching the surface in what I can do.”
“So yeah hopefully I will be back there next season showing what I can do.”
Q & A with Davidson – Click HERE
