Davidson criticizes British rookies

BAR tester Anthony Davidson thinks that fellow British drivers Justin Wilson and Ralph Firman, who make their Formula One debuts this weekend, have been blinded by the magic of F1 and are going to find it very tough. Davidson, who drove in two races for Minardi last season, could have been in line for a race seat at Jordan this year. But he refused to put money up front for a drive, saying he had always been paid for his services, not the other way round.

"Even if I could get the money together, I would not have wanted to pay for a drive," he told the British press. "I've always been paid for my services and I am determined for it to stay that way."

Wilson gained his seat at Minardi by bringing cash to the team, as did Firman for Jordan, although Eddie Jordan refuted that Firman was a 'pay driver'. Davidson believes that buying into the sport is a bad career move: "F1 is a high-profile sport so why should you have to pay or do it for nothing?" He said.

"I honestly feel it's unfair some drivers have to bring money to a team. I don't believe it's good for the sport because I thought the whole purpose was to get the best drivers in the world. Another Alex Yoong on the grid or some inexperienced Yank getting a drive just because they have the cash is not going to set the sport alight. I feel Justin and Ralph have been blinded by the magic of F1 because what are they going to prove behind the wheel of a Minardi or Jordan?"

Davidson also thinks Wilson and Firman will struggle against their more experienced team mates: "Justin and Ralph will be ill prepared and will be blown away by their teammates. Justin's partner Jos Verstappen has plenty of experience and, by the third race, I'm sure Justin will be pissed off, while Ralph is up against Giancarlo Fisichella, who is blindingly fast."

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