Davidson quells Midland talk

Midland managing director Colin Kolles has publicly expressed an interest in signing Davidson - who has strong links with the team's sporting director Trevor Carlin - for 2005, but Davidson denied he had received any approach from the organisation.

"At the moment it has been on all the websites and also on TV, but they have not spoken to me or my manager," he said. "It is nice to read the stuff and find out how people feel about you, but they have not actually seriously contacted us yet."

Autosport.com understands that Davidson's contract with BAR would allow him to leave his testing role if a firm offer for a 2005 race drive with another team was forthcoming, but Anthony said that at present he would not necessarily consider Midland as an option even if they approached him.

"Yes I want to race, but at the moment the team (Midland) has not even done one test yet," he said. "I don't know what they have got, I don't know what to expect.

"As far as I know it is just on paper. They have not done one test and Melbourne is just around the corner, so if anything is going to happen it has to be very quick."

Several teams tried to get hold of Davidson for the 2005 season but none of the deals came to fruition. The most frustrating episode came in December, when BAR withdrew consent for him to test with Williams despite outgoing team boss David Richards having approved the deal before his departure.

"I am not quite sure where I stand contract-wise," said Davidson. "We went through all this - trying to get out to go elsewhere - before, then we ran into problems. I guess it is up to them (Midland) to decide. Everyone knows how I feel, I want to go racing."

Davidson added, however, that he did not want to damage his reputation by racing an uncompetitive car, as he had done in two races with Minardi in 2002. Although he was extremely close to the pace of established team-mate Mark Webber, Davidson crashed out of both races and his standing temporarily suffered as a consequence.

"I have been at the back of the field before in grand prix racing and it is not much fun and it does not make you look good," he said. "Until we are approached (by Midland) it is not worth thinking about - it's like a 'virtual' possible drive.

"There are too many 'ifs'. I have not got excited about it, but it is nice to see everyone talking about me. Let's wait and see."