AS big time sporting debuts go, Anthony Davidson enjoyed a good one at the weekend, and enhanced his prospects of landing a permanent drive in Formula One next season in the process.

The Hemel Hempstead-born test driver for British American Racing, who Minardi named as a two-race replacement for the out-of-sorts Alex Yoong last week, achieved his main aim of qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Davidson comfortably made sure of his place on the grid, finishing within the 107 per cent limit of pole-sitter Rubens Barichello, before he went on to complete three-quarters of Sunday's race, which saw Ferrari add the constructor's title to Michael Schumacher's driver's championship.

Although Britain's latest Formula One star was always last before he spun into a gravel trap on lap 61, he showed what he his capable of by recording the 14th fastest lap of the race after coming into the pits for his second set of tyres.

For a full report on Davidson's first race outing, don't miss this week's edition of The Watford Observer.

August 21, 2002 11:00