Davidson hoping to end testing times

Anthony Davidson is looking forward to this weekend but knows there is nothing quite like racing.

Davidson, 25, has forged a strong reputation this season as BAR's Friday test driver, regularly setting times comparable to Michael Schumacher and company.

But after three seasons in the job the Hemel Hempstead-born driver, who had two races at strugglers Minardi in 2002, feels it is time to get a starting place on the grid.

He is in talks with several teams about next season and believes the British Grand Prix is a fine opportunity to make his point.

"You keep learning all the time," he said. "But it's a slower process when you are testing than when you are racing. I learned more in two races with Minardi than I did in a whole season of testing.

"I am looking forward to the home crowd, but they'll be cheering for Jenson, not me."

Davidson last raced in Britain during the 2001 Formula Three season, when he won races as team-mate to present BAR race driver Takuma Sato.

His most recent racing experience has come in sportscars, with stints in a Ferrari.

Davidson's form in practice and testing has overshadowed his two grands prix so far, which came as a late stand-in for Alex Yoong two years ago.

He qualified just behind team-mate Mark Webber in Hungary before spinning out, then impressed in Belgium.