Sport : F1

Di Resta going for glory

4th July 2012, 02:17pm

Bet with SkyBet  British GP.. Click here to bet.

Di Resta: High hopes

Di Resta: High hopes

Paul di Resta has promised "maximum attack" in his bid to pull off the stunning Silverstone result he craves.

Di Resta has enjoyed an admirable second season so far in Formula One, claiming 27 points from eight races, matching his tally from his entire debut campaign with Force India last year.

Nevertheless, there is a feeling within the Scot he should have had more, in particular from the European Grand Prix last time out in Valencia.

Describing the car as "the best I've driven over a grand prix weekend", a mistake in qualifying saw Di Resta start 10th, whilst a debatable one-stop strategy resulted in him finishing seventh.

The upshot is if Di Resta has the car beneath him over the course of this weekend's British Grand Prix, he will not be making the same mistakes and playing it conservative.

In particular, Di Resta is determined to improve on a superb sixth place in qualifying last year, even though the race went awry via a pit-stop blunder from his team that saw him wind up 15th.

"All round it was our best grand prix up until that stage of the season, qualifying sixth, and we were on course for a seventh-placed finish," said Di Resta.

"It would be nice to certainly repeat qualifying and then have a strong race finish this time, but whether that's achievable...

"If you look at where we were this time last year, we've every reason to believe we could achieve it again.

"Following on from Valencia the car we have is encouraging. We've tuned it and tuned it, and we've made a good step, so I certainly hope we can carry our form over, whatever happens.

"Despite what happened, with my mistake and the strategy, there are massive positives to take, and we've some upgrades coming too so hopefully they will work.

"However, the weather is far from straightforward in the UK at the moment."

The forecast is for a wet event across all three days, adding to the unpredictability of what has so far been an impossible season to call.

Regardless of the conditions, Di Resta is determined to enjoy the grand prix weekend now he has become more accustomed to life in F1.

"It is obviously a big race, one of the biggest of the year; it's certainly my biggest one," added Di Resta.

"Last year was a great weekend for me, a real eye opener as to the following Formula One has in the UK, and what it's grown to.

"I remember the drivers' parade gave me goose pimples with the atmosphere around it.

"So I'm very much looking forward to it. I know a bit more and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it a bit more.

"But to beat the success we had last year is going to be a handful in itself.

"I want to go there and see what we can do. We won't be giving up that's for sure. It will be maximum attack."Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Di Resta has confirmed that the Scot has split with manager Anthony Hamilton.

Hamilton played a key role in helping Di Resta acquire his seat with Force India at the start of last year after the 26-year-old had won the 2010 DTM title with Mercedes.

But after just two years together the pair have now gone their separate ways, with no official explanation behind the decision, and with no statement due to be released.

Bet with SkyBet  British GP.. Click here to bet.

F1 Videos

    Mercedes face tribunal over testing

    Mercedes face tribunal over testing

    19-June-2013

    Mercedes and Pirelli will appear before an international tribunal to answer charges relating to their controversial tyre testing in Barcelona last month.

    Hill looks for clear outcome to ‘Testgate’

    Hill looks for clear outcome to ‘Testgate’

    18-June-2013

    Damon Hill is looking for a clear cut outcome from the FIA International Tribunal and believes Mercedes will face either a fine or loss of Constructor's points.

    Pirelli face FIA tribunal

    Pirelli face FIA tribunal

    14-June-2013

    Pirelli will appear before an FIA international tribunal following their in-season test with Mercedes. The testing controversy is the latest negative headline for the company which has faced criticism from several teams over this year's tyres.

    McLaren's Help for Heroes

    McLaren's Help for Heroes

    14-June-2013

    McLaren team up with Help for Heroes to assist in the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen.

    Sky Bet

      • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

    Facebook Favourites