Safety Car hits Di Restaposted in F109 | 10 | 2011

BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA narrowly missed out on points on his first appearance at Suzuka in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Having run as high as fifth, the 25-year-old Scot's race strategy was ruined by the appearance of the Safety Car midway through the race.

“I made an awesome start to the race, going to the outside and jumping up four places, ahead of both the Renaults and Kobayashi," Di Resta (pictured in action today), who eventually finished 12th, one place behind his Force India team-mate Adrian Sutil.

"I settled into a good rhythm, but the Safety Car spoilt our strategy because that was our fastest part of the race and it was important to try and pull a gap.

"It helped the cars making two stops because they caught us in the final laps and it was very hard to defend.

"Going into the final four races we know it’s going to be a close battle with the teams around us. Sauber seemed to be quite competitive here and Renault look to be back on form, but we will try and fight back in Korea.”

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Jim McGill