From www.dailyf1.com
As expected, Briton Anthony Davidson will replace Alex Yoong as Mark Webbers Minardi team-mate at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix.
Davidson, a contracted British American Racing test driver, had a seat fitting at Faenza on Monday and will drive in his first Formula One race this Sunday. During Davidsons two-race stint, the team has said Yoong will participate in an extensive test programme so he can get his confidence back and be ready to return for the final three rounds of the season, Italy, USA, and Japan.
Davidson comes to the job having had a notable junior career with impressive performances in Kart and Junior formula machines. He has also completed over 12,000 kilometres in a Grand Prix car and he is looking forward to finally lining up on the grid.
This is a fantastic opportunity, as Formula One is something Ive been dreaming about since I was a child, said 23-year-old Davidson. I want to do a professional job for Paul Stoddart and the KL Minardi Asiatech team in Hungary, and my primary target is to qualify for the race. If I can do that in my first Grand Prix, I will be more than happy. Ive not been to the Hungaroring before, so this will be a new experience for me.
I love learning new circuits, though, as its all part of the challenge of motor racing.
Yoong, who has been mature and realistic about his performances, accepted the decision and said he would be working hard over the next month.
I accepted Pauls decision, which resulted from a frank discussion with him, said the Malaysian. It was a mutual decision, as both he and I felt a rest would be beneficial for me in the medium term. The breather will allow me to regroup and recharge in order to take on these challenges again.
Stoddart said the decision to rest Yoong was not taken lightly and hoped to see the youngster develop after some intensive track work.
It has obviously been a difficult decision to rest Alex for two races, but its clear he is struggling with his qualifying pace at the moment, he said. Ours is not a team that abandons its drivers, though, and it therefore seemed like the most constructive course of action was to let Alex have a short break from the pressure-laden environment of Formula One weekends.
During the intervening time between now and the Italian Grand Prix, he will take part in a testing programme tailored specifically to addressing any loss of confidence he may have suffered and to assisting him improve his qualifying performances, so that he can rejoin the team for the final three races of the season. Its a tough call, but I believe the right one for Alex and his career.
We obviously welcome Anthony to the team and look forward to working with him in Hungary and Belgium.
As expected, Briton Anthony Davidson will replace Alex Yoong as Mark Webbers Minardi team-mate at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix.
Davidson, a contracted British American Racing test driver, had a seat fitting at Faenza on Monday and will drive in his first Formula One race this Sunday. During Davidsons two-race stint, the team has said Yoong will participate in an extensive test programme so he can get his confidence back and be ready to return for the final three rounds of the season, Italy, USA, and Japan.
Davidson comes to the job having had a notable junior career with impressive performances in Kart and Junior formula machines. He has also completed over 12,000 kilometres in a Grand Prix car and he is looking forward to finally lining up on the grid.
This is a fantastic opportunity, as Formula One is something Ive been dreaming about since I was a child, said 23-year-old Davidson. I want to do a professional job for Paul Stoddart and the KL Minardi Asiatech team in Hungary, and my primary target is to qualify for the race. If I can do that in my first Grand Prix, I will be more than happy. Ive not been to the Hungaroring before, so this will be a new experience for me.
I love learning new circuits, though, as its all part of the challenge of motor racing.
Yoong, who has been mature and realistic about his performances, accepted the decision and said he would be working hard over the next month.
I accepted Pauls decision, which resulted from a frank discussion with him, said the Malaysian. It was a mutual decision, as both he and I felt a rest would be beneficial for me in the medium term. The breather will allow me to regroup and recharge in order to take on these challenges again.
Stoddart said the decision to rest Yoong was not taken lightly and hoped to see the youngster develop after some intensive track work.
It has obviously been a difficult decision to rest Alex for two races, but its clear he is struggling with his qualifying pace at the moment, he said. Ours is not a team that abandons its drivers, though, and it therefore seemed like the most constructive course of action was to let Alex have a short break from the pressure-laden environment of Formula One weekends.
During the intervening time between now and the Italian Grand Prix, he will take part in a testing programme tailored specifically to addressing any loss of confidence he may have suffered and to assisting him improve his qualifying performances, so that he can rejoin the team for the final three races of the season. Its a tough call, but I believe the right one for Alex and his career.
We obviously welcome Anthony to the team and look forward to working with him in Hungary and Belgium.
