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Di Resta determined not to be overlooked by top teams again

Paul di Resta: "I certainly want a podium and then I want to be on it again" © Sutton Images

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Paul di Resta says being overlooked by Formula One's biggest teams for 2013 has acted as an incentive to go out and prove his worth with Force India next season.

Di Resta was linked to moves to both McLaren and Mercedes this year, but missed out on a drive at one of the top teams when Lewis Hamilton signed for Mercedes and McLaren decided to take on Sergio Perez. Di Resta is expected to race another season for Force India in 2013 and is confident he has the platform to demonstrate his skills ahead of 2014.

"Of course it was flattering to be linked to those seats," he told the Scotsman newspaper. "But I won't deny I was disappointed when both teams opted to go down another route.

"It's just fired me up even more to go out and deliver next season. Of course you want to be in a car capable of regularly winning races and, ultimately championships. All I can do is go out next season, and deliver.

"If I do that, and it attracts a bigger team, then so be it. At the moment I'm paid to race for Sahara Force India, and I'll be giving it 100% when we line up on the grid for the season opener in Australia in March."

Di Resta said a podium was among his targets for 2013.

"I certainly want a podium and then I want to be on it again. That's the target," he added. "But I don't want to luck-in to a podium. For me, it has to be a well-earned top-three finish, one which we can build on. We need to do it on merit, and I certainly believe it's achievable.

"But to do it, we need a car capable of delivering fast, sustainable pace right through not only a race weekend, but also the whole season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.