Rain, rain and more rainposted in F107 | 04 | 2011
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA is preparing himself for a hot, wet and demanding weekend. The 24-year-old Scot may well be advised to slip an umbrella in the cockpit of his Force India racer before he tackles his second Formula One race, Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.
"What's this weather like," he laughed today as he sat in the team's hospitality area at the Sepang circuit near Kuala Lumpar struggling to make himself heard as the torrential rain lashed down outside.
"It rains here every day and for the past few days it's rained like this around 4 o'clock local time, which when Sunday's race is meant to start. And the way the climate works here, it's more likely to rain heavily in the afternoon that the morning or lunchtime.
"The big reality though is, we can definitely expect rain at some time during the race — either in the build-up to it, or actually during the race — so that's going to make it tough for everyone in the team."
Di Resta though arrived in Kuala Lumpar at the beginning of the week quietly confident after his impressive debut almost two weeks ago in the season opener in Melbourne. The rookie finished 10th and score his first world championship point.
Paul di Resta Q&A
"I definitely think scoring that point in my first grand prix has lifted the pressure," the Scot, who will again hand his race car to Force India test driver Nico Hulkenberg for today's morning practice, admitted.
"Obviously scoring that point confirmed to anyone who doubted it that I have the pace and ability to be racing in Formula One. That point will always be there now in the record books.
"But now I want to go out there and score more. I'm desperate to score more points and I'll continue to keep pushing to do that."
While Di Resta will again be expected to be amongst the leading teams battling in the midfield, Red Bull, McLaren and — possibly — Ferrari are likely to be battling for the overall win and podiums.
Defending world champ Sebastian Vettel, a dominant winner of the opening race in Australia, will again start as favourite. The German led his team-mate Mark Webber home to a Red Bull 1-2 last year and Vettel is confident a similar result is possible again.
Di Resta targets points
"Why not?" he smiled. "Our car was quick in Melbourne and I don't expect anything different this weekend. I think we've a really good chance of winning again."
McLaren duo and former champs Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button though are equally determined not to let Red Bull dominate 2011 as they did last year.
"We showed in Melbourne that we have a competitive car," Hamilton said, "and I know we'll get more competitive as the season progresses.
"I have a feeling this weekend, essentially because of the weather, could turn out to be a bit of a lottery. But we know we're quick and we'll be doing everything we can to match the pace of the Red Bulls."
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Jim McGill
Caption: Today's afternoon torrent soaks the paddock as the teams prepare for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix
Photo: Getty Images