Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Anthony Davidson talks to us about his sporting life, both the memories and theoretical situations that get his sporting pulse ticking.
From a classic moment at Silverstone when he was a kid to the prospect of lining up at the Grand National on a very special horse, 2014 FIA WEC World Champion 'Ant' gives us the lowdown on his sporting life.
What is the first sport you remember playing/competing in?
"I started playing football at the age of 7 and carried on playing for my local club even when I started karting at 8. It gradually faded out as I realised I was better at driving than kicking a ball!”
Photo: Formula1.com. Nigel Mansell passing Nelson Piquet at the 1987 British Grand Prix
When did you first remember being at a race track and what event was it?
“I remember going to Silverstone in 1987 and witnessing Mansell's famous overtaking move on Piquet at Stowe Corner. I couldn't quite work out what all the fuss was about on the in lap when he stopped on track but guessed it must have been pretty special.”
If you could have become a professional in any other sport what would it be?
“I've never really considered being a professional in any other sport, but I'm always told that I've got the physique of a jockey. Mind you, it would have to be a pretty special horse for me to trade 1000bhp for just 1!”
Which sports stars outside of Motorsport do you most admire?
“I admire all sportsmen and women around the world as I know how much effort goes into competing at the top of your chosen discipline. A few stand out though. Boxing has to be one of the ultimate sports in my opinion. The thought of getting tired with another fighter hunting you down, with a serious chance of getting hurt as a result, is streets away from getting tired in a racing car. I often used to think about that during my F1 testing days when my neck would start giving way towards the end of a long run!”
Which sporting venue other than a race circuit would you like to visit?
“I'm gutted I never had the chance to witness the London Olympics. I was glued to the TV when it was on. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to see the games, albeit held somewhere else.”
Which circuits that aren't on the FIA WEC calendar would you most like to drive the Toyota TS050 HYBRID on?
“Kyalami, Istanbul, Road America, Laguna Seca, Bathurst.”
If you could share the Toyota cockpit with two racing heroes from the past who would they be?
"Jim Clark and Juan-Manuel Fangio. I'd love to see their faces when they saw/sat in the car for the first time. And to witness the debrief after driving it would be fun I reckon! The Toyota TS050 is definitely a car that makes you realise how far the automobile has come.”
Did you ever go to endurance races as a spectator, if so what memories do you have?
“No I didn't really know much about the endurance racing scene during my childhood, but had obviously heard of the mighty group C cars. I certainly wish I had followed it as a category as closely as I did F1 back in the day!”
