Bathgate’s Paul Di Resta is being lined up for a dream switch from the German Touring Car Championship to a prized seat in Formula One for next season.
The 22-year-old Mercedes-Benz racer, who heads to the touring car finale at Hockenheim next weekend (Oct 26) just two points off the lead, is being lined up to replace German Adrian Sutil in the Force India team.
Di Resta, a member of the Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Development Programme which guided seven-time world champ Michael Schumacher to F1, recently completed a comprehensive and successful two-day test in a Mercedes-powered McLaren at Silverstone.
Though the Scot had initially been tipped to be involved with the McLaren test team for next season, the fact Mercedes is close to signing an engine-supply deal with Force India for 2009 opens the door to the manufacturer placing Di Resta with the team.
Silverstone-based Force India is F1’s most recent team to join the F1 grid, is bankrolled by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya — the man behind Kingfisher lager — and is guided by chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne.
Di Resta, the hugely talented youngster has long been a favourite of Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug, the man who helped chart the career development of current F1 world championship leader Lewis Hamilton.
Haug actively encouraged Di Resta to contest the European Formula 3 Championship in a Mercedes-powered car and the Scot duly won the title in 2006, impressively outpacing Sebastian Vettel.
The German, backed by both BMW and supported by major sponsors, was eased into F1 as a test driver last year and has already won a grand prix this season driving for Toro Rosso.
While, understandably, neither Di Resta — nor anyone linked directly with McLaren, Mercedes of Force India — would comment officially, it’s known the Scot will undergo another two-day evaluation behind the wheel of a Mercedes-powered McLaren next week.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis however, has recently admitted: “There is the possibility of Paul being integrated into Formula One, not necessarily with McLaren but he certainly has the potential to be a success in F1.”
Di Resta, a cousin of Dario Franchitti — last year’s IndyCar champ and Indy500 winner, and who will return to single-seater racing in Australia next weekend — has long targeted a seat in F1.
“F1 is where I want to be,” he said. “I know I have the speed and ability to make it in Formula One and while my focus at the moment is definitely on winning the German Touring Car Championship for Mercedes, I know there are other plans evolving.”
JM