Motorsport: Bathgate race ace Paul Di Resta living his F1 dream

Feb 11 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

As a child, Paul di Resta dreamed of emulating his F1 heroes, but now, after joining the Force India team, the Bathgate ace is ready to step up a gear to fulfil his...

FOR AS long as Paul di Resta has been able to walk, he has been surrounded by wheels, cars, engines and a dream to follow in the tyre tracks of his heroes Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher onto the starting grid of Formula One.

He was just three years old when he first got behind the wheel of a go-kart and within five years he was racing them competitively.

Maybe there is engine oil in the waters of Bathgate as motor racing is clearly in the family blood.

After all Paul’s younger brother, Stefan, is making his own tracks in the world of karting while dad Louis has raced competitively most of his life.

Paul’s older cousin, Dario Franchitti, is one of the world’s biggest motorsport stars, having won the world-famous Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series Championship — twice.

And Dario’s brother, Marino, is also blazing a trail in the world of endurance racing in the American Le Mans Series.

But di Resta could become the most successful of them all after he clinched his dream move to Formula One.

The 23-year-old has been confirmed as the third driver with Force India next season where he won’t have to wait long to test himself against the cream of the F1 crop after it emerged he has agreed a unique deal to test against the likes of Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher in practice sessions before race weekends.

Experience

“This is all I’ve ever dreamed of and it is an excellent opportunity for me,” admitted a thrilled di Resta.

“It is something I’ve waited a long time for and it is the biggest thing to happen in my career.

“For sure, there will be lot of great drivers on the track with a lot of history on test days but as long as I’m doing my job gaining data for the team and experience for myself, that’s the most important thing.

“It’s a huge opportunity that no one else will get as a reserve driver.”

Di Resta secured his place on the Force India team following a stunning three-day display while testing in Jerez, Spain in December.

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 coming second again on the final day.

The Bathgate ace had been starring for Force India's engine partners Mercedes in the German touring car championship, where he finished third last season and second in 2008.

The hot Scot had previously tested twice for McLaren and, last October, he helped develop the KERS system for Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen.

And it proved to be a case of third time lucky as he earned a dream ticket to F1.

He said: “It looks as if I will continue to race in the DTM for Mercedes, as well as test for Force India in F1.

“That obviously means I will have a hectic schedule but I’m young and I believe if I can do it, now is the time to prove it.

“Racing in both cars will keep me sharp in races and my mind open as well.”

Di Resta has already chalked up race wins over 2008 F1 Champion Hamilton when both were coming through the ranks, while he beat current Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel to the F3 Euro Series title in 2006.

And he admits to feelings of frustrated watching them take their places on the F1 starting grid in recent years while he has had to bide his time for his chance.

“Firstly, it is very difficult to judge as everyone has different opportunities,” explained di Resta.

“It has been a bit frustrating as they got their chance a bit quicker than me as I’ve raced and beaten both before.

“I’ve been racing against Lewis Hamilton all my life, as we grew up together although he is a little bit older than me.

“We raced a lot in the go-karts and I had a good record against him, beating him a few times.

“I know that motor racing is very different but I’m confident I could do well.

“Lewis breaking through so young and making an impact in his first season opened some people’s eyes in F1 that young drivers can do well.”

Target

The West Lothian wonder has been tipped to be promoted to a full race seat in time for the 2011 campaign but although di Resta admits he is desperate for the chance, he realises he has some work to do first.

“I want to step up as quickly as possible, but within reason. I know I have to prove I am worthy of it,” he admitted.

“It will be hard work but I will do my best to get a race seat in F1.

“There are muscle areas I need to work on as you can only do so much in the gym. The only thing which will develop some of the muscles you need in an F1 machine is time in the car itself.

“Being behind the wheel of an F1 car is very surreal feeling and it is hard to describe the feelings to people who don’t drive them.

“I can’t ever think of driving anything better.

“It is one of the most engineered things on the planet.

It is certainly exciting and driving these cars gives me a thrill. I love doing it.”