Di Resta wants to continue his momentum from 2011
Rookie in 2011, Paul di Resta discovered the world of Formula 1. In 2012, the Scotsman hopes to confirm his strong first season and help Force India progress further up the hierarchy.
In 2012, Paul di Resta will begin his second season in Formula 1. The Scotsman had a good season in 2011 and hopes to capitalize on his experience to improve this year.
« I am not trained harder than ever. For a whole bunch of reasons my life is more stable, it lets you focus on your goals. The other advantage is that I now have a season behind me. Whether it’s making decisions about travel arrangements or simply analyzing your time, you can really see what you didn’t like last year and what affected you, » explains the Force India driver during the presentation of the VJM05.
Di Resta therefore shares the ambitions of his team, which hopes to reach a new level this season by aiming for fifth place in the constructors’ championship.
« The goal is to move forward from where we were at the end of last year. We must start stronger than we did last year, that will be the key. We also developed a lot of things that we tried last season. »
After a timid start to the campaign in 2011, Force India admirably turned things around mid-season to finish the year in sixth place globally. It is at this level that they will need to capitalize to start 2012 in the best possible way.
At the end of last year we pushed very hard. Hopefully, this will push us to cross another threshold. But it will require a lot of work. We must start where we finished last year and continue in that direction. There is no reason why we cannot succeed. We have good stability and we have the same technical staff, the same partners: Mercedes-Benz for the engine and KERS, McLaren for the gearbox and hydraulics. So everything is very stable. It’s almost as if there was no end to one season and the start of another. Everyone is in the same mindset, the Scotsman rejoices.
Alongside him, Paul di Resta will welcome a new teammate in the form of Nico Hülkenberg. The two drivers know each other well since the German was the team’s third driver in 2011, and di Resta had to give up his seat in his single-seater to him during some Friday morning practice sessions.
« Nico was already part of the team last season. I have known him for a long time, and I am convinced that we will work well together. At the same time, you have this competitive spirit which drives the team forward. »
