Mr Consistent: Why Davison's best is yet to come

Few drivers have been put under the microscope like Will Davison, and he has delivered under pressure.

Davison has been subject to silly season speculation, but has so far let his driving do the talking in 2022.

The veteran driver has pieced together a smart campaign and currently sits fourth overall after seven rounds.

Critically, Davison and Anton De Pasquale have powered Shell V-Power Racing Team into teams’ championship contention.

Through seven rounds, Red Bull Ampol Racing leads the Ford squad by just 10 points.

At the centre of Dick Johnson Racing’s 2022 charge has been improved campaigns by both drivers.

Davison’s performance has been masked by De Pasquale and Cam Waters also registering career-best starts to a season.

However, neither De Pasquale or Waters have been hit with such constant questions about their future as Davison.

Davison has taken a season-high six poles, a win in Perth and eight further podiums.

De Pasquale has also lifted, and has left his 2021 troubles behind thanks to improved reliability and consistency.

That’s where Davison comes in, the two-time Bathurst winner demonstrating his worth to the team.

Davison has more points, poles and podiums after seven rounds in 2022 versus last year.

Davison also leads the qualifying head-to-head with De Pasquale 12-8.

Critically, unlike 2021, Davison has won a race, the veteran winning a Perth thriller following a battle with Cam Waters.

Davison has taken a season-high six poles

Where Davison has chiefly proven his speed has been in qualifying, where he has taken six ARMOR ALL Pole Positions.

Davison also owns the longest active finishing streak, having last retired from a race in 2019.

His last start featured a charge from 24th on lap 1 to seventh by the flag in Townsville.

The team has somewhat been judged harshly in the post-Scott McLaughlin/Penske era.

However, after a learning year, De Pasquale and Davison have propelled the team back into title contention.

Critically, Davison would prove an asset once Gen3 arrives, with the 39-year-old driving the Gen3 Mustang as recently as Thursday.

Earlier this year, fellow veteran James Courtney claimed the low downforce cars will favour those who raced Blueprint cars.

Davison has a handle on Gen3

Davison, van Gisbergen, Courtney, Mark Winterbottom, Nick Percat, Lee Holdsworth, David Reynolds, Chris Pither and Tim Slade are the only active drivers to have raced pre-COTF cars.

"It’s a very different car to what we’ve been used to," Courtney told Supercars.com.

"The grip levels feel very similar to what we had in 2008, which is good for guys like myself, Winterbottom, Davison, Shane.

"The new guys don’t know what the lack of downforce is all about.

"It’s a good thing. It’s great to get some more running today."

Davison raced Project Blueprint cars full-time between 2006 and 2012, the last season arguably his best.

Davison won six of the first 11 races in 2012 for Ford Performance Racing, and ended the year with 17 podiums.

Three years earlier, he finished second overall for Holden Racing Team, scored 12 trophies, and won his first Great Race.

With 14 races left this season, Davison already has nine podiums, having scored 10 last season in 30 starts.

Speaking in Townsville, Davison reiterated he is keen to continue with the Shell V-Power Racing Team.

What's more, is he and De Pasquale have a golden opportunity next week at the Mustang-happy Tailem Bend.

"Just constantly as I have for the last 15 years, striving to be better,” said Davison, who brought up 500 race starts in Darwin.

"I’m in an amazing team, and they're helping me get the most out of myself.

“I'm loving that at this age now, but I'm still young at heart.

“Certainly trying to learn every race and get better every weekend.

“We'll do our talking on the track."

The 2022 season will resume at the OTR SuperSprint on July 30-31. Purchase your tickets now.

Will Davison after seven rounds: 2021 vs 2022

*De Pasquale retired from four races in first seven rounds of 2021