Davison's tribute to late Warne

Will Davison has offered a tribute to late cricket legend Shane Warne, who passed away overnight.

Warne, who took over 1000 international wickets for Australia, was 52.

The iconic cricketer turned commentator played a key role in funding Davison’s career in the early 2000s.

Davison left Australia as a Formula Ford champion 20 years ago in a bid to chase his Formula 1 dream.

Warne, along with the likes of Peter Brock and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, backed Davison’s investment program to help fund his racing.

"Devastated at the passing of Shane Warne," Davison posted to social media.

"During my time in the UK, Warnie helped us out with a fundraising campaign back in Australia to help keep my career going.

"An iconic legend, but such a kind bloke. Was really special getting to know him in AUS & also over in London throughout this time.

"Shocking news that’s quite hard to accept. All my thoughts are with his family."

In the years after the program, Davison would go on to win races for Dick Johnson Racing, Holden Racing Team, Ford Performance Racing and Tekno Autosports.

He won the Great Race in his first season with HRT, which helped him repay his benefactors.

Davison would again win the Bathurst 1000 in 2016, which remains his most recent race victory.

The 19-time race winner was 19th and seventh in the two practice sessions in Sydney on Friday.

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