• Canadian Grand Prix - Qualifying

Qualifying a 'missed opportunity' - di Resta

Pail di Resta felt he could have gone one better and qualified seventh in Canada © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Race:
• Canadian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Paul di Resta

• Teams:
• Racing Point

Paul di Resta is confident of scoring some solid points at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, but admitted he could have qualified higher up the grid than eighth.

Di Resta looked quick throughout the three qualifying sessions on Saturday and ended up ahead of Michael Schumacher's Mercedes and Jenson Button's McLaren. However, he felt he could have gone at least one place higher had he nailed the perfect lap.

"It was probably a missed opportunity," he said. "I probably should have been in front of the Lotus but I just tried a little bit more than I needed through the chicanes based on trying to make a difference. That's what it's all about here. Our car has shown very strong here in the last sector but it's the middle sector where it is on edge."

Di Resta sees no reason why he shouldn't take the fight to the cars in front on Sunday.

"Any points would be welcome, we can't say how many because we are starting ahead of a Mercedes and a McLaren which will make it a tough job. But why should we give up and why shouldn't we challenge some of the cars in front, because we've had the pace this weekend to do it."

He said it was important Force India capitalised on its competitive pace this weekend to try to close the gap to the likes of Sauber and Williams in the constructors' championship.

"We've had a good start to the season but others have had a good start as well. Certainly we need to make a difference while we're in this position - we are ahead of some of our competitors in the midfield teams. Tomorrow any points will be a big benefit for us."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.