Motorsport: Paul di Resta waits for word on Formula One dream

Dec 10 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

PAUL DI RESTA is inching towards his life-long dream of a place on the starting grid of Formula One after a stunning three day display while testing in Jerez, Spain.

The Bathgate Bullet left American rival JR Hildebrand trailing in his wake, posting lap-times a second faster every day.

Di Resta was second fastest of all the teams on day one, then fourth before second again on the final day.

And he admitted he was living a life-long dream by getting behind the wheel of an F1 car.

He said: “The testing went superbly well and it is something I’ve been waiting for a long time.

“I’m very grateful to Force India for giving me the chance and it is something I’m looking to expand on and grow with over the coming years. Getting into F1 has always been my dream.”

Force India’s owner Vijay Mallya has revealed both di Resta and California driver Hildebrand are in the running for a permanent role as test and reserve driver next season.

And di Resta’s stunning displays should have earned him pole position in the race to F1.

“There has been no word yet and although I am hoping to hear in the near future I understand these things take time,” said di Resta.

“JR did well and different people had different expectations but to be honest I just concentrated on my own job instead of worrying what other drivers were doing.”

The 23-year-old West Lothian wonder has been starring for Force India's engine partners Mercedes in the German touring car championship and he has previously tested twice for McLaren.

But he is hoping it proves to be a case of third time lucky in his bid to earn a dream ticket to F1.

“The car is a very different sensation to anything driven,” continued the Bathgate star.

“There was a massive difference in the cars and it is difficult to describe what it is like to drive a Formula One car.

“But I feel I adapted quite quickly to the new car and helped with different aspects of the testing.”

Team owner Mallya confirmed Force India are now analysing all data from the three-day test as part of thier development for the 2010 before deciding whether to offer di Resta or Hildebrand a permanent role in the seat alongside Adrian Sutil and Antonio Liuzzi.

He added: “As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us. As we've always said, nationality isn't the primary selection criteria — it's talent and dedication to the cause and we have seen enough to know that these two have both.”