Formula One news

Why Frank Williams ignored Davidson

Sir Frank Williams has defended signing 20-year-old rookie Nico Rosberg, when the highly rated BAR test driver Anthony Davidson was also on the market. "Nico is a very intelligent and commanding driver," the Grove based boss told Germany's Motorsport Aktuell magazine. "As to whether he is good enough for formula one, we'll find out in March next season."

Surely, though, Williams knows more about the talents of countryman Davidson, a long time BAR-Honda tester who was briefly considered for Nick Heidfeld's 2005 drive.

But Briton Frank says he knows 'nothing at all' about the 26-year-old, who raced twice for Minardi in 2002 and for BAR in the '05 Bahrain GP. "He has only really driven (at grands prix) on the Fridays," Williams explained, "so you never really know exactly under what conditions he was driving."

Little 'Ant', however, should not despair too much -- Williams is also still coming to grips with the talent of Australian team driver Mark Webber. While Frank lauds his 'outstanding' qualifying talents, he does wonder whether Webber compares with F1's best in the grands prix. "He has still to prove that," he said.

Technical director Sam Michael backs his Oxfordshire-based boss. "Mark has proved that he has a very high basic speed in qualifying," said Webber's countryman. Michael continued saying: "He does not always convert that to the races."

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