Di Resta gets 2012 seatposted in F116 | 12 | 2011
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA will lead Sahara Force India's Formula One assault next year after being confirmed today as its No1 driver for 2012.
The 25-year-old Scot will partner Nico Hulkenberg, the 24-year-old German, who steps up from his role as the team's test and reserve driver.
Adrian Sutil, who teamed-up with Di Resta this season, is now expected to sign for Williams.
For Di Resta, preparing now for only his second season racing in F1, the step up to team leader merely confirms the impressive reputation he established in his rookie year.
"There's no denying I'm really looking forward to my second season of Formula One and continuing to grow and develop with Sahara Force India," he said today.
"I love being part of this team: we're one big, positive family and together we're ambitious and hungry for success. What's also very important is that we all work very well.
"There's a real sense of belief in the team and, having seen what's planned for next season, I'm really excited about 2012.
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"We finished sixth in the constructors' championship this season, the best-ever result for the team, and we're all confident we can continue to push the top teams and take another step forward."
And Di Resta — who scored 27 world championship points in his first year, finishing top F1 rookie — took time to thank the team, and team principal Dr Vijay Mallya
"Working with the team has been fantastic, and I'd like to thank them, and Dr Mallya, for all their hard work this year and for all the support they’ve given me."
Mallya, whose global drinks and aviation operations include Glasgow-based whisky company Whyte & Mackay, paid tribute to Di Resta's performance in 2011.
"I think Paul caught the eye of everybody in the pit lane during his rookie season," the Indian billionaire said. "His speed, maturity and racecraft confirmed we were right to believe in him.
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"We look forward to working with him again next year, and in Paul and Nico we have two extremely talented drivers with tremendous potential."
Di Resta meanwhile, who has spent the past few days filming on behalf of the team, as well as working in the Silverstone-based outfit's F1 simulator, is looking forward to finally getting a few days break over Christmas.
"To be honest, since the end of the season it's been pretty manic. People talk about us going on holiday after the last race of the season? Well it's certainly not been like that for me," the Scot, who is in Stuttgart today for a Mercedes function, laughed.
"But I'm back home on Monday and it will be terrific to finally just chill, reflect on the past 12 months, and recharge my batteries again for next year.
"This year was good, but we're all determined to make 2012 even better."
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Jim McGill