Highlights

Super Aguri can score in 2007, says Davidson

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-11-21 14:17

New recruit Anthony Davidson believes Super Aguri can take a significant step forward in 2007 after a difficult debut in Formula One this year.

The Briton joins Japan's Takuma Sato in the starting line-up after years as a Honda test driver waiting for what he called his lucky break.

"By the end of the year I hope to be pushing Taku really hard and hopefully we will be in a competitive environment with our car," the 27-year-old said in a team interview issued on Monday.

"The ultimate goal has to be scoring points and I believe that this is now a realistic goal."

Super Aguri failed to score a point this year and finished last of the 11 teams after starting the season with a development of a four-year-old Arrows car.

However, the Honda-backed team should have a far more competitive package for their second season, with Davidson replacing Japanese rookie Sakon Yamamoto alongside the experienced Sato.

Davidson competed against Sato in British Formula Three and was his team mate as test driver at BAR Honda.

"It will feel a bit strange but also this time I will be competing directly against him in a way. It will be a fun year, we get on really well and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses," said Davidson.

"Hopefully, like in any good team, we will push everybody on to bigger and better things."

Davidson, who has started three races as a stand-in without finishing any of them, said he had plenty to learn despite knowing all the circuits from his years as a Friday tester.

"Testing is one thing, but racing is another," he said. "You can do the lap times in testing, but it is very difficult to do it in the race.

"I haven't finished a race yet due to various circumstances, so my first objective is to finish my first race with the team in Melbourne and then go from there and build up the learning blocks," he added.