Di Resta eyeing pointsposted in F110 | 11 | 2011
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA returns to Formula One action this weekend when he races for the first time in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Before heading off to begin his preparations with Sahara Force India, the 25-year-old Scot spoke with Jim McGill about the Yas Marina track, and reflected on the frustrations and disappointment of India.
"We, as a team, always knew we were going extremely aggressive with the strategy at the Indian Grand Prix," Di Resta explained. "It was a decision to cover our bases.
"We took this route based on the tyre data from Friday, but the conditions in the race turned out to be quite different. Sometimes it works for you and other times you have to take it on the chin.
"Other than that the speed in the race was strong. The big picture is our position in the constructors’ championship so it was important that my team-mate Adrian (Sutil) picked up the points.
"We said all along that the fight for sixth place would go down to the wire and we need to continue delivering in the next two races.
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"I haven't raced at the Yas Marina circuit yet, but thankfully I do have experience of it. I drove the Force India car there last year in the young driver test just days after the grand prix, then did a full day in the Pirelli tyre test, so I've got a feel for the place.
"I've also had another half-day in the simulator back at the team's base, so that's helped refresh my memories of its layout.
"I think this weekend is going to be another exciting race. Our car should be well-suited to the layout of the circuit. In many areas it reflects parts of the circuit in Singapore. I finished sixth there, so that’s a reason to be optimistic.
"The lack of high-speed corners seems to suit our package, so the fact Abu Dhabi is a very technical circuit with a lot of tight, low-speed corners should help us.
"But we know we're in for another tough weekend. We're in a tight battle with two other teams to finish sixth in the championship, so we need to see how they're performing.
"One thing's for sure though, I'll be doing everything I can to make sure I score more world championship points for Sahara Force India."
Watch our video of David Coulthard chatting with Mika Hakkinen
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Jim McGill