Davidson confesses Button wish

Davidson had hoped to capitalise on his raised status, thanks to some supreme performances in Friday practice, to land a race-seat for 2005. And when news of Button's planned departure first surfaced, Davidson admitted that he had his own selfish ambitions about the outcome.

"If I am completely honest I was the only guy in the team who wanted Jenson to leave when the whole Williams thing was going on," he told Autosport . I have nothing against Jenson, but any racing driver would be the same if he sees that kind of opportunity coming up.

"I don't think people understand how competitive I am. I haven't always had a chance to show that, but the team know - and the fact that they were ready to fight to keep me in the car shows that."

Davidson saw his chances with BAR for 2005 dashed when the team won its claims over Button's services - and then he faced further disappointment when a planned test with Williams was aborted after the move was blocked because BAR wanted an option on his services for 2006.

He will remain as BAR's test and reserve driver for 2005 and remains in strong contention for a step up to a race seat with the team next year - providing that either Button or Takuma Sato do not stay.