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Davidson not ruling out Aguri drive

Anthony Davidson has not ruled out joining the Super Aguri team in Formula One next season - despite reports claiming that he is poised to snub the outfit

Honda Racing boss Nick Fry said last week that he would like Davidson to remain as his team's third driver in 2006, in a move that would see the Briton return to Friday testing duties at Grands Prix.

However, Davidson has not yet committed to that job as he awaits news on whether Super Aguri will be granted an entry to next year's World Championship. Should they be given the green light for 2006 then Davidson is favourite to join Takuma Sato, who is in talks with the team.

"I would love to be racing and if an opportunity comes along then it would be tempting," Davidson told autosport.com. "I haven't yet spoken to anybody at Suzuki, but I plan to in the very near future.

"Obviously I want to be racing next year, that is always my goal and it is always what I have said. But I feel committed to Honda at the same time and I am getting on with winter testing as per the norm. I cannot really say any more, because I haven't spoken to Suzuki yet. It has been all done through Honda."

Davidson admitted that he was in a difficult position in trying to make a decision because of the current uncertainty about Super Aguri's future. The team's attempt to gain an entry to next year's Championship is currently dependent on whether MF1 Racing will give their support.

"At the moment they are not actually part of the line-up for next year, they haven't got an entry and haven't signed any drivers. So for me to commit to a team that doesn't exist would be a case of running before you can walk.

"I've got to make a decision soon but it's a real tough one, because I 100 percent want to be racing.

"It is really frustrating to be in this situation at this time of the year, but everything else has gone. Let's wait and see what comes out of it."

But even if talks with Super Aguri do not get anywhere, Davidson has said he would be more than happy to remain Honda Racing's third driver - especially as it would give him a good shop-window in his hopes of getting a race drive in 2007.

"I would be happy," he said. "I have Fridays again to help the team with and to show what I can do again. It does give you a lot of credit and respect and it will hopefully put me in the market again next season.

"I feel Honda are going to be strong team next year and already they have got a strong engine and the car will be good. At the same time I would love to be racing so in a way I wish I could be doing both, but that is not realistic."  

Sato is understood to have visited Super Aguri's Leafield factory last week to continue his talks with the team. The Japanese driver has not yet signed a contract, however, as he also awaits news of the team's future.

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