Davidson could prove key - Button

Jenson Button hopes Honda’s secret weapon Anthony Davidson can fire him towards a maiden grand prix win in Bahrain.

Davidson resisted the temptation to race for the new Super Aguri team this season in favour of staying on as Honda’s test driver.

The Hemel Hempstead-born driver has forged a reputation as Formula One’s most valuable testing asset during five years in that role and he gets the chance to show his skills to a wider audience again.

Honda’s poor form in 2005 gives them the advantage of a third car for Friday practice this season and Button hopes Davidson proves to be the missing link as the team chase their first win.

He said: “It’s very useful and great that we have been able to keep Anthony on. I trust everything he says.

“He is a very competitive driver and has a good understanding of the car.

“It’s going to make a big difference, especially at this time of the season when it seems a few teams are still struggling with reliability.

“We have got the most reliable car – the facts say so – and also we have a third car out there to do the work. It does make a difference and it’s good that we are in that position.”

Honda have surprised many in pre-season testing with their pace, rivalling world champions Renault heading into the new campaign.

Several other drivers have pin-pointed Button as favourite for this Sunday’s race, including world champion Fernando Alonso.

But Button dismisses that notion, claiming Alonso is merely understating Renault’s own testing speed.

“I am sure he is just taking the pressure off himself,” he said.

“You have to say Renault and Alonso are the favourites.

“They have been quick in the winter and they had a strong car last year.

“It has been a very good winter. We still don’t know how competitive we are going to be against Renault because it is only testing and you don’t know what people are doing in testing.

“But we think we have done a great job.”

Alonso himself will leave Renault at the end of this season for a new career with McLaren.

That move was announced soon after his 2005 triumph but, rather than disrupt his title defence, Alonso claims he can now race free of pressure.

“The best thing is that the new car is competitive and strong enough to be quick on race pace and we are ready for the first race,” he added.

“I see 2006 as the year to defend the title and win again, it is the last year at Renault and I need to win for them and for me – I will do my maximum.

“I am much more relaxed now for the future and I can concentrate on winning because I am not wondering which team I will be at next year.”