Di Resta: Seventh heavenposted in F127 | 05 | 2012

SCOT PAUL DI RESTA scored his first world championship points on the streets of Monte Carlo today when he finished seventh, having started 14th, in the Monaco Grand Prix.

It's the fourth time in the opening six races the 26-year-old from Bathgate has finished in the top 10, and takes his season total up to 21 points: last season he scored 27.

And Di Resta (pictured in action today) was understandably delighted with today's result which, allied to his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg finishing eighth, meant his Sahara Force India team left the tiny principality with a 10-point haul.

Aussie Mark Webber wins in Monaco for Red Bull

“It's a great result today and I’m very happy to make up so much ground on my starting position," Di Resta, who was cheered on by an army of family, friends and Scots, said today.

"We went aggressive with the strategy, and I have to say the team really optimised it.

"The secret was managing the tyres and trying to find clean air when we could. The car felt really good, much stronger than yesterday, and that allowed me to push when we needed to.

"Fortunately the rain held off at the end because that could have had a big impact on the end of the race," the Whyte & Mackay whisky global ambassador continued.

"It’s great that we managed to get both cars in the points and we can celebrate tonight.”

See more official photos of Paul in action in Monaco

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Jim McGill