Davidson to fit races around testing

The McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner, who finished second in the British Formula 3 championship this year, has decided not to return for another assault on the series in favour of a Formula 1 test drive.

However, Davidson says that he does intend to race next year and will select certain key events to both keep his hand in and make sure he stays in the limelight.

"We're trying to get a budget together at the moment and I want to do some important races next year, like Zandvoort, Silverstone and Macau," Davidson told Autosport.com. "It's good to keep your name up there and it's good to keep racing, especially when you know you're going to be at the front."

Davidson has not ruled out competing in Formula 3000 as a way to learn more circuits. The 22-year-old has not raced in any European-based formulae and is keen to increase his circuit knowledge.

"I'm not tied down to anything with BAR, so we've got the opportunity to do Formula 3000 if we want to as well," he added. "I'm looking forward to learning some new tracks, but I don't want to do too many races, because obviously Formula 1 is the main focus."

Despite injuring his neck during a practice accident at Macau last weekend, Davidson is confident he will be fit enough to start Formula 1 testing in January.

"Every morning I wake up and it's getting better and better," he said. "I'm definitely going to be fit enough for when the testing starts in January. It's just a little set back."