Di Resta perplexed by Force India vacancy

LONDON (AFP) –

Force India driver Paul di Resta of Britain powers his car at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi on October 26, 2012. Di Resta has admitted he is surprised that he is still waiting to learn the identity of his team-mate for the 2013 season.

Force India driver Paul di Resta has admitted he is surprised that he is still waiting to learn the identity of his team-mate for the 2013 season.

The Silverstone-based team are due to unveil their new car on February 1 but despite the new season looming, they still have a seat available.

Reserve Jules Bianchi, former driver Adrian Sutil and ex-Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi have all been linked with the role, and Di Resta says a decision cannot come quickly enough.

“I am surprised there has been nothing yet,” the Scot told Britain’s Press Association.

“The team have said they will announce it in good time as to where they are going to be, and I have to respect that.”

Asked if not knowing who he will be working with makes a difference to his preparations, Di Resta replied: “Ultimately, it does.

“But at the end of the day, I know my job, and I am fully focused on what I need to achieve at the moment.

“Whether that is managing my time, booking flights, working with the engineers, or whatever.

“I know who my team are, who my mechanics are. There are some new faces in that, which means we will be stronger again.

“But I’m feeling quite good about it, very positive. I’ve been at the factory and the vibe is very high.”

Di Resta, 26, enjoyed a strong start to the 2012 campaign, notably finishing in a career-high fourth place in Singapore, but scored only two points in the last six grands prix and finished 14th in the drivers’ championship.

“For whatever reason, nothing went the right way at the end of last season,” said Di Resta.

“Essentially you always remember the end of a year more than the beginning, and with my crash (in the final grand prix in Brazil) as well.

“There were some good drives, some good pace, but it just never worked out.

“I’ve been through times like that where you just need to dig deep, and eventually you get out of it. Hopefully this year will be the year.”