F1: Di Resta’s team ‘buzzing’ after Scot records his highest F1 finish so far

The 26-year-old Scot, who started from sixth on the grid in his Sahara Force India car, produced a drive which merely highlighted why a number of top teams are eyeing him for next season. “That was brilliant,” he beamed afterwards. “That was probably the most complete racing weekend I’ve had in Formula One.

“First, I’ve got to say a huge thanks to the team. We were fast on Friday, then went a bit backwards after we made some changes to the car for Saturday practice.

“But my race engineer told me not to worry, and that he knew exactly what we had to do to get the car back on the pace for qualifying and the race.

“To his credit, that’s exactly what he did. And after delivering in qualifying, it was crucial I carried that form into the race.”

Di Resta’s start saw him ease ahead of the Ferrari of world championship leader Fernando Alonso, but the Spaniard fought back to retake fifth later on the opening lap.

The Scot though maintained his sixth position throughout the opening part of the race, then moved up to fourth following the retirements of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton  and the Williams of Pastor Maldonado.

“I’ve always said we need to be in the position to take full advantage of these situations when they happen,” Di Resta continued. “And yesterday we were. The atmosphere in the garage when I got back was buzzing. Everyone knew how  important it was, not just to me, but to the team.”

Defending world champion  Sebastian Vettel won his second successive Singapore Grand Prix after he inherited the lead after Hamilton’s retirement.

The win was Vettel’s second of the year. While Jenson Button was third for McLaren, Alonso held on to pip Di Resta for third, increasing his lead in the world championship to 29.