Anthony Davidson’s F1 profession might be break up into two elements – his 24 Grand Prix begins with Minardi, BAR-Honda and Tremendous Aguri, and his time as probably the most precious take a look at drivers within the sport. For our newest Lights to Flag function, the Briton shares all about his time within the high echelon, in addition to the rollercoaster experience that adopted in sportscars and the way he’s nonetheless closely concerned in F1 immediately as a tv pundit and Mercedes simulator driver.
Impressed by Walker and Hunt
Born in Hemel Hempstead, UK, in 1979, Davidson was launched to F1 by his motorsport-loving household and, on the age of eight, began a karting profession that might take him throughout Britain, Europe and North America – and yield loads of trophies.
“My first reminiscences of motorsport are undoubtedly watching it on TV, being weaned on Murray Walker and James Hunt [with their BBC commentary],” smiles Davidson. “I used to sit down there, sucking my thumb as a bit child, subsequent to my dad and my brothers. My dad by no means raced, however one among his greatest passions was watching F1.
“I bear in mind going to Silverstone for the British Grand Prix in 1987, the yr when Nigel Mansell overtook Nelson Piquet at Stowe. It was a mega time. My heroes rising up have been Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mansell, Piquet, that form of era. I completely cherished it and simply couldn’t get sufficient of it.
“Once I began karting myself, I selected my helmet design based mostly on a listing in Autosport journal of all the present drivers. Eddie Cheever was the one which form of stood out and I stated to my dad, as an eight-year-old, ‘I like that one!’, so I’ve numerous fond reminiscences as a child following F1.”
