The return of Davidson after two months of absence…

Anthony Davidson is optimistic; according to him, he will be on the starting grid on March 16 for the season opener in Australia, even though his contract has not yet been confirmed by Super-Aguri.

« Yes, I am confident, » said Davidson to reporters after the Jerez tests.

The Briton, who is supposed to be Takuma Sato’s partner in 2008, has been registered as a race driver on the FIA list. Super-Aguri stated that they still need to finalize their driver lineup.

Davidson had not participated in a test session for more than two months. He was back behind the wheel of the 2007 single-seater this week in Jerez, for the first time in 2008.

The Super-Aguri driver admitted that it was difficult to get back into the rhythm after a break of several weeks away from the circuits.

« It was the first time I took the wheel in 2008 after a two-month break, so it was difficult but the pleasure is still there, » he said.

« The team tested for three days, completing around 100 laps each day, so they were quite satisfied with their test sessions. We made a lot of progress. »

He added: « I really prepared myself physically for the 2008 season over the winter. I am probably stronger than I have ever been and I arrived in Jerez where I completed 103 laps. »

During this winter, I considered myself more an athlete than a Formula 1 driver.

Davidson has no illusions about the start of the season because Super-Aguri hasn’t tested as much as its competitors, and he believes it will lag behind the other teams.

« Observing the teams at the moment, I think it’s going to be tough. It was our first serious test of the year. We are still in the process of discovering our new systems. We still have three days of testing before Melbourne. »

« So, it’s a fact, it will be tough for us. We will be one of the backmarkers, » concluded Davidson.