F1: Di Resta close to Force India role

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Paul di Resta says he is close to a deal to become Force India's reserve driver this season, after impressing the team in a test at the end of last year.

The Scotsman, who shone during a maiden appearance in the young driver test days at Jerez last December, says he is '90 per cent' of the way towards completing a breakthrough deal that will get him into Formula 1.

"Things are moving along quite strong," di Resta said on the main stage at the AUTOSPORT International Show.

"Since the test for sure we have been in talks, and I would say we are about 90 per cent there. We are in the final stages of finishing off for the programme they have set and hopefully we can build a very long and strong relationship for me to try and race with Force India in the future."

Paul di Resta, Force India, Jerez testing 2009Di Resta said he hoped that if a deal did come off, it would put him in a prime spot to prove to the outfit that he deserved a chance to race in 2011.

"The two drivers they have - Adrian [Sutil] did a very good job last year. And also Tonio [Liuzzi]. It is a fight to get a seat, and I am going to try and fight for that - and try to prove to Force India that I am capable of getting in that car and doing the same job they can if not better," he said.

Speaking about his Jerez outing last year, di Resta said: "We had a very difficult year in the DTM last year. It did not get off to the best start but then, during the year, we started talking to Force India. And thankfully they gave me an opportunity to go down to Jerez and do three half days in the car.

"It was a big opportunity and something I have waited a long time to do, to get a serious chance to drive the car, and it was very productive. We came out very strong and also moved forward and built a relationship with Force India."



Autosport