• Force India news

Di Resta eyes Mercedes future

Paul di Resta: "Mercedes is a huge manufacturer and one I hope to drive with" © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Drivers:
• Paul di Resta

• Teams:
• Mercedes
• |
• Racing Point

Paul di Resta has his sights set on a Mercedes drive in the future but is determined to prove himself at Force India before moving up the grid.

Di Resta's junior career was closely linked to Mercedes and he spent four years driving for the manufacturer in DTM, culminating in a title in 2010. This year he bagged a drive with Force India through its Mercedes engine connection and is hoping to prove his worth in order to be first in line for a seat at the Mercedes works team if it comes up.

"Six years ago Mercedes put a tremendous amount of effort into me and my Formula Three career," he was quoted by Sporting Life. "I've the utmost respect for them because without that opportunity I would not be where I am. I had six good years with them, developed a good friendship and a close relationship with them.

"I'm here at Force India on my own merits from what I've delivered. But for the future, Mercedes is a huge manufacturer and one I hope to drive with. But let's concentrate on the job I've got here, and that is the year I've signed with Force India and to do the best job for them."

Di Resta has scored two championship points so far this year, but has finished just outside the top ten at three of the last four races. He is hoping this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix will suit his car and be a chance to break back into the points.

"We've not been fast enough in recent races to score points, and didn't deserve to score them," he admitted. "We've been close on a few occasions, narrowly missing out, but it is what it is, and we know we've work to do to score points again.

"This weekend I would hope my chances of doing that are higher than more recently given the team's performance in recent years on lower downforce tracks and where the team qualified last year (sixth and ninth). But at the same time, I'm not getting carried away because there has been disappointment in other areas. However, we have to be optimistic the package we have developed for here is more than other people have done."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.