Di Resta to shine in Lone Star Stateposted in F114 | 11 | 2013
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA is Stateside this weekend for the penultimate round of the F1 World Championship, the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, in the Lone Star State of Texas.
And after scoring 12 world championship points in the last two grands prix, the 27-year-old from Bathgate is determined to continue his run of form and further boost Sahara Force India.
"The results in the last two grands prix have certainly been massive for the team in our fight to finish sixth in the Constructors' Championship," Di Resta, backed by Whyte & Mackay Whisky, explained as he prepared in Austin, Texas.
"With two races remaining in the season, we're no 32 points ahead of Sauber in seventh, so that's a huge boost. And interestingly, we're now just 20 adrift of McLaren in fifth.
"In Abu Dhabi we played the long game and the strategy was spot on. We focussed more on the race set-up rather than one-lap pace and that was the key to making the one-stop strategy work.
Related: Paul di Resta sixth in Abu Dhabi
"We’ve also got the car into the window that gives more consistency and confidence. Everything came together and it was a great team performance.
"Now we have to continue that level of performance in this weekend's race at the stunning Circuit of the Americas.
"I got my first look at it when we raced here last year, and it's pretty awesome, in that typical American way.
"And it’s great to be back: it really is an impressive facility. I still remember the huge crowd that came to the race last year and the amazing atmosphere. The place was absolutely packed and the whole city was very enthusiastic about Formula One.
"And the track's like nothing else we race on during the year, with its blind crests and rolling undulations: it's pretty unique on the F1 calendar.
Related: Points haul for Paul di Resta in India
"Sector one stands out for me. It’s very similar to the Maggots and Becketts sequence at Silverstone, and the fast chicanes work the car and tyres really hard. It’s a very enjoyable part of the lap and those corners really show you the potential of a Formula One car.
"The rest of the lap is quite open with a great flow. A lot of the corners are off-camber, too, which adds another challenge.
"Everybody at Sahara Force India is determined to finish the season on a high, first here in Texas, then next week in Brazil, and I definitely want more world championship points."
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Jim McGill