Davidson escapes F1 smash

The BAR test driver completed some straight-line running for the Brackley-based team at Vairano in the week after the Hungarian Grand Prix, but he had not driven an F1 car in anger until this morning (Tuesday) at the Italian circuit.

Davidson, who was running alongside fellow BAR tester and Carlin Motorsport team mate Takuma Sato, took to the track and proceeded to lap within a second of the highly-rated Japanese ace's best effort on only his third run.

However, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner pushed a little too hard on the second flying lap of his third run and ran slightly wide at the fast Arrabiatta corner. Before he was able to correct his mistake, the left rear tyre of his BAR003 gripped on the dust, pitched him back across the track and into the inside barrier.

"I really wanted to get into the 1m27s so I was pushing a bit harder," Davidson told Autosport.com. "I was just starting to enjoy it and got a bit carried away. I didn't realise how quickly the tyres dropped off, got a bit of understeer and that was it."

Davidson destroyed two corners of his BAR-Honda, but was unhurt. He was unable to continue testing during the afternoon due to a combination of the damage sustained during the accident and heavy rain. He must make way for Oliver Panis tomorrow (Wednesday).

Despite his accident, however, Davidson was pleased with his efforts and was confident that the team was not too annoyed by the extra work caused by the smash.

"After all that straight-line work at Vairano, I think I'd forgotten how to turn," he quipped. "The team knew I was trying to work down to a time and that I hadn't just gone out there and tried to do anything silly, so they weren't too annoyed.

"It's definitely a lesson learnt. I got down to a time the team was expecting me to do by the end of the day on only my third run. I think I could have gone quicker had it stayed dry."

Davidson was suitably impressed by the grip levels offered by a Formula 1 car, but found himself quickly acclimatised to the extra acceleration, braking and downforce compared to his Formula 3 Dallara.

"It is just amazing the difference the tyres make," he said. "You get better acceleration, turn-in, grip, everything. The brakes are amazing and the high-speed downforce is incredible."