BAR Block Davidson's Test with Williams

BAR dashed Briton Anthony Davidson's hopes of racing for Formula One rivals Williams on Wednesday.

A month after they fended off the BMW-powered team's bid for highly-rated Jenson Button, BAR said Williams had set 'untenable' conditions for Davidson's scheduled test in southern Spain next week.

Davidson, 25, had been one of three main candidates considered by Williams for a 2005 race drive following the departure of Germany's Ralf Schumacher and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya to Toyota and McLaren respectively.

He had been due to test at Jerez from December 1 but BAR made it clear that would not happen unless Williams changed their position.

"Anthony is one of the team's prime assets and we have him under long-term contract," said BAR technical director Geoff Willis in a statement.

"It is for this reason that a great deal has been invested in him over the years and whilst we are enormously keen for him to gain F1 race experience and further his career, we clearly cannot compromise the future of BAR.

"In that regard, we felt that we had reached a very good agreement with Williams whereby he could drive in 2005, but could be repatriated to BAR under certain specific circumstances for 2006," added Willis, who joined BAR from Williams in 2002.

"Williams have insisted on an unconditional arrangement which, unfortunately, is untenable for the team."

Management Changes

There was no immediate comment from Williams, whose attempt to sign Button for 2005 was thwarted by the sport's Contract Recognition Board last month. Button had wanted to return to Williams, the team with which he made his Formula One debut in 2000, but BAR's contract was held to be binding.

The 24-year-old is still expected to move to the BMW-powered team in 2006 when Davidson could be in the frame to take over the race seat. The Briton has boosted his reputation as BAR's Friday test driver at grands prix this year, frequently lapping faster than anyone else.

His test was agreed before championship runners-up BAR underwent management changes, with engine partner Honda last week agreeing to buy a 45 percent stake in the team and David Richards being replaced as principal by Nick Fry.

"It's a tremendously exciting opportunity," Davidson had said last week. "I can't wait to get into the car and show what I can do."

The BAR test driver's apparent exclusion leaves Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia as the clear favourite to join Australian Mark Webber on next year's starting grid.

Germany's Nick Heidfeld, who raced for Jordan this year after leaving Sauber, is also in contention and could also replace Pizzonia as Williams test driver if the Brazilian gets the nod.