Wednesday October 16th, 2002

Briton Anthony Davidson has given up on his Formula One dream for next year and is now looking for a drive in the United States Champ Car series to go alongside his role as British American Racing test driver in 2003.

The 23-year-old raced twice for Minardi this season and hoped that his impressive performances would net a race deal with Toyota, Jordan, Jaguar or Minardi for 2003.

But strong inside sources have told Atlas F1 that Champ Car champion Cristiano da Matta has signed for Toyota and Australian Mark Webber has a contract with Jaguar, leaving Davidson just two options remaining.

"Formula One is pretty much out next year," Davidson said. "There is only possibility of two seats and I am not going to pay to get a drive so I am pushing to get into Champ Cars next season."

Jordan are expected to swap Japanese driver Takuma Sato for Ulsterman Eddie Irvine to secure Benson and Hedges sponsorship for another year and Davidson will not pay the $5 million required to race with Minardi.

Davidson was offered a place in the Fernandez Champ Car team for the final three rounds of this season as a replacement for the injured Shinji Nakano. But the Japanese driver recovered and Davidson lost out.

But the Newman-Haas team, who have already tested Briton Justin Wilson, contacted him last week and the pair could fight to be taken on for a full season of Champ Car racing in 2003.

Published at 17:10:26 GMT