Briton bids for Force role

Di Resta handed test chance in Spain

Last updated: 2nd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Briton bids for Force role

Di Resta: Test chance

F1 has always been my dream and I feel this is taking me one step closer to achieving it.

Paul di Resta.
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Briton Paul di Resta claims he is a step closer to achieving his dream of driving in F1 after being invited to test for Force India.

The 23-year-old, the cousin of IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, will team up with Force India in Spain next week as he looks to secure a full-time position as test and reserve driver for next season.

And di Resta, who will be joined to Force India by Indy Lights series champion JR Hildebrand, is hoping this could be a start of something special.

"F1 has always been my dream and I feel this is taking me one step closer to achieving it," said di Resta.

"I'm realistic that I've got a lot to prove and that I need a bit more experience of the cars and the F1 environment before getting a permanent seat but this is just the beginning of what I hope will be a very bright future with Force India."

Di Resta has previously tested twice for McLaren and has been competing for Mercedes in the German touring car championship.

And Force India owner Vijay Mallya insists that a good performance for the Scot or Hildebrand in testing could lead to a permanent role.

"We will be looking at their performance on track very closely and should they perform well, as we are confident they will, we will look at a permanent role for one within the team in 2010, potentially as a test and reserve driver," he said.

"As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us. As we've always said, nationality isn't the primary selection criteria - it's talent and dedication to the cause and we have seen enough to know that these two have both."

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