Di Resta: I'll be strongerposted in F131 | 12 | 2011
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA enters 2012 having completed 12 months which have proved pivotal in his motorsport career: his first full season racing in Formula One with Sahara Force India.
With a string of top 10 finishes — including sixth in Singapore — and a total of 27 world championship points, the 25-year-old Scot helped the team to sixth in the constructors' world championship: its best-ever finish. He also won the Autosport Rookie of the Year Award.
Now he heads into the new year believing he'll be a stronger person, and confident Sahara Force India can mount a challenge to finish in the top five.
"I don't know why, but I think you always go away from any racing series into the winter break and you come back a stronger person," Di Resta explained.
"I definitely believe that. It is not something to do with your emotions. It's not something that drives you. It just happens. It's happened in the past, and I'm confident it'll happen again.
"Hopefully it will mean I get a bit more speed, because if I get more speed then hopefully I can be more successful with it.
"It's great to come out as a team where we were in the championship; to be in good spirits, and certainly be very proud of Force India and what they have achieved this season.
"We as a team progressed significantly as the year went on. We scored just four points in the opening five races of 2011, which left us eighth in the constructors' battle.
"But everything seemed to change in Germany, the 10th race of the season and the mid-point of the year, and from there we scored in every race, except Japan.
"The difference from where we started this year, to where we moved on to, was incredible.
"The foundation blocks we built earlier in the year were always going to compromise us a bit, but we came out a much stronger package towards the end of the year than we ever imagined we would be."
And Di Resta, who will be partnered by 24-year-old German Nico Hulkenberg in the team next season, is confident Sahara Fprce India can mount a top-five bid.
"If we can keep our momentum continuing into next year then we can take it to our nearest competitors, Renault," he continued.
"But before that, it's time for a well deserved rest. I've been back in Scotland for Christmas with all the family. Now we'll have a quiet New Year and hopefully grab a fortnight's rest somewhere to recharge the batteries.
"I've a quiet spell now before I'm at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham on Saturday/Sunday January 14/15. Hopefully I'll see a lot of my supporters there.
"Till then, may I wish you all a Very Happy New Year, and let's all look forward to a Healthy and Successful 2012. Happy New Year!"
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Jim McGill