Di Resta: Great resultposted in F103 | 08 | 2011
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA returned to Monaco to start the Formula One mid-season break delighted with his performance at the Hungaroring, where powered his Force India VJM04 to seventh in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
He took time out to reflect with Jim McGill about the weekend, including having to avoid Lewis Hamilton's McLaren, taking the brave decision to stick on slicks as the rain fell near the end of the race, and crossing the finish line with his car running on fumes.
"What a great result — the best of my Formula One career — to get just before we start our four-week midsummer break. It was a terrific feeling to finally take the chequered flag at the Hungaroring in seventh place, especially having come so close to a good result in recent races, especially at Silverstone a few weeks ago.
"We've known in the Force India team how fast and reliable the car is — we saw that last weekend in Germany when my team-mate Adrian (Sutil) finished in the top 10 — but for a change my race wasn't affected by 'events outwith my control', as has been the case recently.
"That's not to say, of course, that it was straightforward! The conditions were difficult at the start because the track was very slippery. Again I got a good start and made up a couple of place. After that, as the circuit dried out it was a case of managing the intermediate tyres until our first pitstop.
"Our middle stint wasn't fantastic, but all the real action happened towards the end of the race. I was fighting with the Williams of Rubens Barrichello and as we headed towards the right-left chicane I saw Lewis (Hamilton) had spun and was stopped sideways-on in the middle of the track.
See pix of Paul racing in Hungary
"That was fine, but as I came round the left-hand section of the chicane, Lewis put his car back in gear and rejoined the race; I had to steer off the track to avoid his McLaren. Thankfully the first avoiding movement took my car on to a piece of concrete, which at least gave me some grip, but that then led me on to the grass. If I'd hit wet grass first, I hate to think what might have happened.
"It was all over in a split second, but it could easily have ended in disaster. Immediately after the race, Lewis came to see me and apologised, saying he didn't see me.
"I can understand whey he did what he did, because he was leading at the time of the spin, but it still wasn't the right thing to do; the race stewards thought so too and gave him a drive-through penalty. But there's no hard feelings.
Scot Paul di Resta in seventh heaven
"Then of course we had another very light shower of rain with just a few laps remaining. By this time, like the rest of the drivers, I had slick tyres fitted to my Force India. The team instructed me to come in and fit intermediates, but I thought the grip was good enough to continue so I took the decision to stay out.
"But those few laps were tough. While others, including Lewis and a few of the leaders, pitted for inters, my gamble to stay on slick paid off; but there were times in corners when the back-end of the car was fighting to overtake the front.
"Then, to cap it all, my engineer came on the radio telling me I had to manage my fuel; we were running out of petrol! All the teams fuel their cars to the minimum; there's no point in carrying excess weight. This time we cut it very tight.
"For the final few laps, all I could hear in my ear was: "We need to save fuel. We need to save fuel."
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"Coming through the last corner on to the final straight, I took the car over to the pitwall to acknowledge the team members who were leaning over and celebrating. Seventh was a great result, but it was a team result.
"My fun though wasn't over. On the warm-down lap I had to park the car halfway round because the fuel level had become critical; we needed to make sure we had sufficient fuel for the FIA to do the post-race tests. It passed ok, but that's what I call cutting it tight.
"I had a good few family and friends out to the Budapest race, so we were able to celebrate my result. Now though I'm going to have a bit of a break and recharge my batteries.
"The first half of the season has been frantic; it seems like only yesterday we were in Australia for the start of the season. It's four weeks now before I'm back in the car at Spa in Belgium, and after the result in Hungary, I can't wait."
Paul di Resta