British rookie Anthony Davidson says he is not overly concerned that the 2007-specification Super Aguri will not be launched until the day before scrutineering for the Australian GP.
The 27-year-old and teammate Takuma Sato are not going to drive the ‘SA07’ until official practice for the Melbourne event, amid suggestions that it is a controversial copy of Honda’s 2006 car.
Super Aguri has tested all winter with a development of Honda’s RA106, which the Leafield based team dubbed the ‘interim’ car.
“A formula one car is a formula one car at the end of the day,” Davidson, nonetheless predicting a “point or two” for the team in 2007, was quoted as saying by The Guardian after an event on Friday.
He said: “The main thing that has been the hardest part for us has been learning the new tyres. That above all has been the biggest thing.”
Davidson also said he is “pleased” that the start of his first full season in formula one has so far been overshadowed by countryman Lewis Hamilton’s high profile debut for McLaren.
He told The Sun: “I’m really pleased as it means I can learn slowly without all the pressure Lewis is going to face, but he’ll handle it.”
Former Honda test driver Davidson, meanwhile, said he has been “surprised” by the lacklustre performance of Jenson Button’s team in the winter period.
“But they’ll get back,” he predicted, referring to Brackley based Honda.
“They are one of the teams, like Renault, that have been hurt by the tyre change from Michelin to Bridgestone.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
