Davidson frustrated by early exit

The Super Aguri driver, whose team have had a troubled winter with nearly no testing, made contact with Williams's Kazuki Nakajima and Red Bull's Mark Webber when being sandwiched between the two car on the first lap.

Davidson had to retire right away.

"It is disappointing to have an early retirement from the Australian Grand Prix," he said. "I am really frustrated that I couldn't do the laps that I wanted to today and finish the race, as that was my main aim.

"We haven't had much time in the car this weekend or in testing and it was really important to get that done today, so it is gutting not to have done that.

"I feel that through no fault of my own I was sandwiched between two cars, trying to avoid the inevitable. I tried to brake to get away from it and the cars right and left just rode over my front wheels, so there was no where for me to go."

Teammate Takuma Sato also retired from the race when he was left with no drive on lap 33.

"It was a difficult race for us," admitted Sato. "I did not get off the start well, but after that I fought back for position and gained a few places in the first lap, and that was an exciting moment battling in the first stint.

"After the first pitstop and a few laps we had a problem and I had to stop, which is a shame as everyone has done such a good job to get us here and make it happen.

"But I think that we collected very valuable information and data today, so I cannot wait to get started again in Malaysia."