Di Resta edged off podiumposted in DTM18 | 05 | 2014
BATHGATE'S PAUL DI RESTA narrowly missed out on a podium finish on only his second race back in the German DTM Championship.
The 28-year-old Scot, who started 20th on the 23-car rain-lashed grid in today's 60-minute race at Oscherslaben in Germany, stormed through the field to finish just 1.137secs off the podium.
"That was a hell of a race," the former F1 racer smiled. "We got close: very close. But in the end we just missed out on what would have been a sensational result."
Di Resta demonstrated all his race experience to pit for wet tyres early in the race before the third appearance of the Safety Car in what was an eventful race.
The Scot only narrowly avoided a huge impact after wrestling to control his Mercedes C-class (seen leading the DTM field)after being tipped off the road by the BMW of Maxime Martin.
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"Yeh, that was bit of a moment," Di Resta, who also spun off a few laps earlier in the treacherous conditions, admitted afterwards. "I guess, especially under those conditions, it was just a racing incident.
"To be honest, I thought my race was over when I was pushed off the track, but I recovered, kept going and did everything I could to regain the places I'd lost.
"Conditions were really tricky out there today, but I feel they definitely played into our hands. More importantly, we worked out a good race strategy and took the right decisions during the safety car period.
"But overall, considering where we started the race, to come through and finish fourth, just over a second off the podium, is a terrific result not just for me, but also for the team.
"That said, we know that everyone at Mercedes has to continue working no only on the car, but our total package."
The race was won by Di Resta's 25-year-old Mercedes team-mate Christian Vietoris. It was the German's first win in the DTM Championship.
The Mercedes youngster, who started 16th, finished just 0.674secs ahead of Audi's Canadian racer Mike Rockenfeller, with another Audi, piloted by Swiss driver Edoardo Mortara third.
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Jim McGill