Di Resta back to workposted in F111 | 01 | 2013
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA heads to Birmingham this weekend for the annual Autosport International Show, but first he stopped off today at the Sahara Force India headquarters at Silverstone.
After a series of meetings with his team, he spoke briefly with Jim McGill before jumping into a car and heading to Birmingham.
JM: It's three weeks today you launch your 2013 Sahara Force India car; how are things shaping up for the new season?
PdR: It's all looking good. I've had my seat fitting and I've seen how the car will perform — well, at least on paper. The first chassis will be completed soon, and then we'll be on countdown to the launch at Silverstone on February 1.
Last year's launch day was bitterly cold. Would you be happy with the same conditions this year?
Last year, though it was cold, was actually pretty ideal. The main thing was it was dry right through the day, and if we get that again in three weeks, I'll be happy.
You're at the Autosport International Show this weekend. Is it a busy couple of days?
It certainly is: my schedule's pretty packed right through Saturday and Sunday.
But it's a terrific event, and one I definitely wouldn't want to miss. It's great to see and meet the fans, and I really like being able to spend time with them.
I've a number of interviews to do, and I'll be on the main stage at the show, so hopefully everyone will come and see me. I'm also doing autograph sessions, so it's pretty intense.
You were home in Scotland for Christmas with the family: did you have fun?
Yeh, it's always great to go home and spend time with my family. I was back for around eight days, then we went back to Monaco for New Year.
And it was straight back into training. Actually, I did a fair bit of running when I was in Scotland, so my fitness levels are pretty good for this time of year.
I weighed myself at the factory today with my race kit on, and I'm not too far away from where I need to be: so I guess I haven't put too many Christmas pounds on.
Three weeks till you drive the car for the first time this year: looking forward to it?
Definitely. This is a big year for everyone: for me and the team. We're all focused on kicking on from the pace and performance we had over the last couple of races at the end of last season, and if we can do that, then we'll be in a good position when we get to Australia for the first race of the season.
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Jim McGill