Davidson Rules Out Paying for Minardi Seat in 2003

Briton Anthony Davidson said today that he will not pay to get a drive in Formula One - and counted out any chance of him racing for Minardi next season.

Davidson, who is currently the test driver for British American Racing Honda, raced for Minardi at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix replacing Malaysian Alex Yoong, but the young driver said he will not return to the team if he has to pay.

"I do not want to be a pay driver," said Davidson.

Minardi Boss Paul Stoddart said that any driver who wants a seat with Minardi next year will have to stump up $5 million.

Davidson believes he has the talent to get into Formula One on merit alone, and said that he has had talks with Toyota, Jordan, Jaguar and Minardi in recent weeks.

He admitted that he is now down to just Jordan and Jaguar because it is understood that Toyota have already signed Brazilian Cristiano da Matta and he does not have the money to pay for the Minardi drive.

But he said the chances of him securing a race seat for 2003 look "slim". He is likely to remain with BAR for another year, and suggested that he is not being lined up as a replacement for Canadian Jacques Villeneuve in 2004.