They're the unheralded men of Formula One -- the third drivers on the lineups for the smaller teams racing this year.
Their impact could prove vital for the smaller outfits trying to bridge the gap between the top teams on the grid which is led by Ferrari and world champion Michael Schumacher.
PHOTO: EPA
Under rule changes in force this year, the six teams that finished outside the top four in the 2003 constructors' championship can each use a third driver during both free practice sessions on the first day of each grand prix.
With each team permitted to use only one engine for each of its two regular drivers at a race, the third driver gives the smaller teams a chance to gain valuable testing under racing conditions without unnecessary risk to their main cars.
The BAR-Honda team, which finished fifth in 2003, had third driver Anthony Davidson out on the track for 36 laps in yesterday's practice sessions
While Jenson Button and Takuma Sato completed 21 laps each, Davidson did much of the early work with 25 laps in the morning session.
Davidson finished as the second fastest among the "third drivers" -- as they're labeled -- and was 15th overall with a quickest lap of 1 minute 27.516 seconds.
World drivers champion Michael Schumacher led the way in 1:24.718 in his new F2004 Ferrari.
Bjorn Wirdheim of Sweden drove 54 laps for Jaguar, while Toyota Racing's Ricardo Zonta was the fastest of the third drivers, one place ahead of Davidson, in 1:27.165.
Button had said in the lead-up to Melbourne that the BAR team was lucky to have a third car because it meant he and Sato could "save the engine a little bit more, to help us over the weekend."
Yesterday Button said the 24-year-old Davidson had played a key role for the team.
"It felt quite strange leaving most of the driving to Anthony but he's done a great job of obtaining information for myself and Takuma," Button said.
"He's going to play a key role in the way our race weekends shape up this season as Taku and I preserve our engines."
Davidson was thrilled to be on the track.
"It was fun to see my name up there with all the other drivers and I feel that we have achieved a lot in support of the two race drivers," he said.
He said he was happy with his times.
"It's great to be here as part of the established driver lineup. It's just like being at a test with them really, so I feel very comfortable.
"I think the new Friday format will work well."
Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes the extra driver will prove an advantage for the six teams outside the top four, especially over tire selection, and says Ferrari, Williams, McLaren and Renault should be watching proceedings closely.
But Ferrari's Schumacher was less sure yesterday, saying it was "a little bit easier for them to have more information but I don't think it's going to put us in a lot of problems."
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