Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Anthony Denis Davidson, born on 18 April 1979 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, embarked on his racing journey in 1987 with kart racing. He demonstrated early promise, securing three British championships (1993, 1994, 1995), an Italian championship, and a runner-up position in the Formula A European championship in 1996. Davidson’s transition to single-seater cars in 1999 was marked by victory in the 1600 cc Kent engine class of the British Formula Ford Festival. The following year, he continued to impress, finishing as the runner-up in the British Formula Ford championship and winning the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, earning the McLaren/Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award.
Major Successes and Highlights
Davidson’s Formula One career began as a test driver for British American Racing (BAR) in 2001, followed by stints with Minardi, BAR, and Super Aguri. His F1 career, spanning 2002, 2005, and 2007–2008, included 24 starts but no championship points. Notably, his time at Super Aguri in 2007 and 2008 was cut short due to the team’s financial struggles. Davidson’s prowess extended beyond F1, with significant achievements in sportscar racing. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2003 to 2017 and 2019–2021, achieving a best finish of 2nd in 2013. His crowning achievement came in 2014 when he won the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Toyota Hybrid Racing, showcasing his versatility and skill in different racing formats.
Life and Legacy After Retiring from Racing
Post-retirement, Davidson has remained active in the racing world as an analyst for Sky Sports F1 and a commentator for WEC TV. He also contributes to the F1 series of video games as a colour commentator and serves as a simulator and demonstration driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas. His influence extends beyond the track, as he has become a respected voice in motorsports, sharing his insights and experiences with a new generation of fans and aspiring drivers.
Career Stats
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | KL Minardi Asiatech | Minardi PS02 | Asiatech AT02 3.0 V10 | NC | 0 |
| 2004 | Lucky Strike BAR Honda | BAR 006 | Honda RA004E 3.0 V10 | – | – |
| 2005 | Lucky Strike BAR Honda | BAR 007 | Honda RA005E 3.0 V10 | NC | 0 |
| 2006 | Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team | Honda RA106 | Honda RA806E 2.4 V8 | – | – |
| 2007 | Super Aguri F1 Team | Super Aguri SA07 | Honda RA807E 2.4 V8 | 23rd | 0 |
| 2008 | Super Aguri F1 Team | Super Aguri SA08 | Honda RA808E 2.4 V8 | 22nd | 0 |