F1 start 'thrills' Di Resta posted in F113 | 04 | 2011
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA arrived in China today acknowledging the start to his Formula One career has exceeded even his own expectations; the Scot, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Saturday, has scored a point in both openers, Australia and Malaysia.
While the Aussie point came by way of both Saubers being disqualified, the solid drive to 10th at Sepang impressed most onlookers in the paddock. Now, having made such a good impression with his strong race craft, Di Resta has said that he could never have predicted doing so well so early on.
"I wouldn't say I am surprised, but I am definitely feeling good about it," he said. "I went in with an open mind and that is what I have done We've exceeded what we thought we were going to do, and we will stay very focused on that.
"I think the point I scored in Malaysia is definitely more deserved. It was through speed. We got our strategy right with the speed we had.
"It was a bit unfortunate to lose the other point to Michael (Schumacher) in the end, but we had to cut our third stint a bit short as we were struggling on the tyres, and with four or five laps fresher tyres you could see what Michael could do.
"Once I saw I was ninth I knew the points would be important. I didn't make it easy for him, but at the same time I wasn't going to put myself at any risk."
The Scot's performances are putting team-mate Adrian Sutil under pressure, but the Di Resta is under no illusions things could get harder for him in the future.
"Adrian is fast, I am learning off him so it is not going to be easy," he said. "He is very fast at the moment and I will continue to try and learn off him and stay that side of him, but it is not always going to go my way.
"At certain points I am struggling, I am not going to deny it. I am still finding it difficult, but I am at a point where it is putting me through my paces and it will continue to do that. Hopefully through time it will get better. I am also working with two compounds, which I have never done in any other series."
Even just two grands prix into his F1 career, Di Resta is already being looked at by other teams in the pitlane. But before even considering a switch to another team, his immediate priority is to maintain his run of excellent form with Force India and hope he is offered a contract extension for 2012.
"You definitely have to think a bit about the future and what other possibilities are around," he said. "I will try and continue what I am doing to make a mark on that end of the grid."
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Jim McGill