F1 star ready for Abu Dhabi test

Nov 10 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

Paula Di Resta

FORMULA ONE rookie Paul Di Resta is hoping to use his track experience to secure more championship points in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

The Bathgate Bullet is looking forward to taking to the technical track which he sees as similar to the Singapore circuit, where he bagged eight championship points in September.

And he hopes Yas Marina’s circuit will be equally profitable for him and Force India.

Di Resta said: “There are definitely some similarities with the Singapore track, so that’s a reason for the whole team to be optimistic, because the lack of high-speed corners seems to suit us better.

“As ever, however, we have to see how the teams around us perform.”

Di Resta has experience of the Yas Marina circuit. He completed half a day at the young driver test and a full day for the Pirelli tyre test last year.

And he hopes to use those two previous trips to his advantage.

Di Resta (pictured left) said: “I’ve learned the layout and have a feel for the place. Before we get there, I’ll have another half day in the simulator to get back up to speed.

“There’s very little high-speed stuff, apart from just after turn one. It’s a very technical circuit with a lot of tight, low-speed corners and you need to be very precise with the car.”

Di Resta’s last outing for Force India didn’t go to plan, with a 13th place finish at the Indian Grand Prix, his team’s home race.

Force India gambled on there being a safety car which did not come – and it cost the Scot dearly.

He said: “We always knew that we were going extremely aggressive with the strategy.

“Sometimes, it works for you, and other times you just have to take it on the chin.

“Other than that, the speed in the race was pretty strong.

“The big picture is our position in the constructors’ championship, so it was very important that Adrian (Sutil) picked up the points.

“We said all along that the fight for sixth place would go down to the wire and we need to continue delivering good performances in the last two races.”

Currently, Di Resta is 14th in the Drivers Standings, with 21 points on the board, while his team are sixth in the Constructors Championships.