Davidson's race hopes dashed

Williams is seeking a second driver after it lost its claim on Jenson Button when the Contracts Recognition Board decided the Englishman must stay at BAR in 2005. Davidson and Nick Heidfeld were scheduled to take part in test sessions at Jerez in December to determine if either driver would be a better option that Williams' test driver Antonio Pizzonia - who is looking increasingly like the favourite for the drive.

BAR technical director Geoff Willis said that the team had pulled out of an agreement in principle with Williams because it "had insisted on an unconditional arrangement which, unfortunately, is untenable for the team."

Williams would not comment on the record but a source inside the team denied insisting on unconditional terms. "The only requirement we placed on the test was that if Davidson performed well and got a race seat for '05 we would have liked an option to retain his services as a race driver for 2006 - if BAR were unable to offer him a race seat," the source said. " We made no other contractual demands."

BAR indicated that discussions are continuing. Out-going BAR team principal David Richards has in the past said that the team would never stand in the way of Davidson getting a race drive in F1.

Davidson starred for BAR during Friday testing in 2004 and has made no secret of the fact that he wanted to move up into a full-time race seat next year. With both seats filled at BAR, the Williams drive appeared to be his only realistic option.

"Anthony is one of the team's prime assets and we have him under long-term contract," said 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.