Planet-F1

Ant: A really difficult time for Super Aguri

Friday 25th April 2008

Anthony Davidson has suffered a few sleepless nights following the turmoil that has raged around Super Aguri this year.

The future of the back-of-the-grid team is again uncertain after the plug was pulled last week on a potential rescue package.

Although Super Aguri have taken up their place in the paddock at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, it is far from clear as to whether they will take to the track.

Team owner Aguri Suzuki has stated talks are ongoing with regard to potential investment, but the suggestion is hopes of a miracle are fading fast.

Finding an investor at the 11th hour willing to pay off debts of £50million and pump in the funds to keep the team on the grid for this season is surely akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

For Davidson, the last few months, stretching back to last season, have been what he describes as "a really difficult time".

The 28-year-old added: "It's a battle, a fight, but I'm learning to cope.

"To be honest, I've had a number of sleepless nights, but you have to have fight in you. You have to feel like you belong, are ready and in top shape.

"Whenever there is a level of uncertainty in any walk of life, it is difficult to find that 100% fight that you need.

"You can tell yourself you are ready, but without testing here and with limited parts at the start of the year and all that stuff, it really does take a lot out of you."

Davidson has been forced to dig deep to ensure he has not lost his personal drive, determination and focus.

He is convinced several Formula One drivers would have cracked under the kind of pressure he has been forced to endure these past few months.

"There are a lot of drivers up and down the grid, with much more experience than myself, who would have crumbled by this point," insisted Davidson.

"But I'm a fairly resilient character. I've a good habit of being able to laugh things off.

"I focus on my own areas, my own personal performance, training, getting the best out of the car from the whole weekend, working with my engineers.

"I just keep my mind occupied with other fun stuff, the things that remind you there is more to life than driving a Formula One car.

"But that's what I'm here for at the end of the day, and it's actually quite easy to switch yourself on and just get on with the job.

"When you're in the car, that's the easiest part because it is when you stop that you reflect and you realise that's the bit you love from the whole thing."

Davidson, though, refused to comment on his chances of a drive this weekend, starting with Friday's two practice sessions, nor on how he might feel if he became a mere spectator.

"I don't really want to talk about that," he said.

"It's a little negative for this stage of the weekend, so my mind now is ready for the fight.

"I just want to get out there and do the business, so all we can do is just remain positive."