Paul di Resta Q&A

Paul di Resta was the rookie of the year in 2011 and here he pinpoints areas for improvement...

Paul di Resta was many people's rookie of the year in 2011 as he helped Force India to sixth in the constructor's standings. Now partnered by Nico Hulkenberg, the team head into 2012 with only two seasons of driving experience between their drivers. But di Resta is confident that after testing the VJM05, the team can look to improve on last season. Q: Paul, at the end of last season Force India had a real boost. Do you get the feeling that the team has been able to carry that momentum into the 2012 season? Paul di Resta: "I certainly hope so. The buzz in the team from what we've achieved last year is still high and I think that is reflected in the car design of the VJM05. "So far we must be very happy with what we have achieved, but of course this is not a sport that stands still. We have to keep moving and hopefully this moving will bring us to where our ambitions are: to move forward in the constructors' championship. "To do that we have to overtake a world championship-winning team - and that indeed is a big task. But believe me, we all will give it our best shot." Q: It is logical that after finishing sixth last season your team boss Vijay Mallya is now focusing on P5. But who's going to move over? PdR: "That's the tricky question, indeed. It is a hard task, but I think we've come so far that with all the talents the team has shown last season we have to focus on that. "We punched a bit above our weight in 2011, so we know how to do it - and let's get even better at doing it this year! (laughs) There is no reason why we shouldn't be able to do it again." Q: You have done two full days in the new car this week - and witnessed the other cars on track. From what you've seen, do you think you could indeed punch above your weight again in 2012? PdR: "I think what first and foremost should give us hope is the stability that we have within the team in terms of our design department, our engine partner and our partnership with McLaren. "This is more important than what other teams might or might not have done in the last few days. We changed our philosophy in aerodynamics last year - and how we work as a team - and you saw the benefits in the middle of last year. "The VJM05 is not just an evolution of last year's car - there are some pretty big new parts there based on our new philosophy and we are very confident that it will deliver." Q: So the only change is that you have a new team mate in Nico Hulkenberg - which means that Force India are going into the season with two drivers in only their second year of F1 competition. Will that work? PdR: "Yes, why not? I think this looks like a very exciting driver line-up. Nico gained high respect when he was driving for Williams and the (Force India) board took the decision to trust us not to disappoint them. And in fact we work very closely together." Q: Adrian Sutil had been with the team - and in Formula One for five years - so he was the old hand. Now with two drivers only just out of their rookie seasons the competition will be different, as you both have to earn your spurs... PdR: "There is always competition between team mates, but that is what pushes you on and pushes the team to reach new goals. "And maybe that is what was needed. Adrian had been with the team for five years, so maybe they wanted something different. Well, that's not for me to say as I was purely