Formula One: In-demand Paul Di Resta faces crucial decision

Published on 20/07/2012 01:06

Paul di Resta appreciates he faces “a crucial decision” over the next few weeks with regard to his future.

At a pivotal point in the current Formula One campaign, with the summer break on the horizon following Sunday’s German Grand Prix and race in Hungary seven days later, driver movement usually figures high on the agenda.

In Di Resta’s case, at such a key moment in the year when ideally he requires someone to look after his interests, he finds himself without a manager after recently splitting with Anthony Hamilton.

At present, Di Resta is 
taking the advice of Jenson 
Button’s long-term manager 
Richard Goddard, assisted by James Williamson who was by the Scot’s side over the course of the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone a fortnight ago.

Di Resta knows trying to focus on his driving, as well as looking to secure himself a place in Formula One in 2013, is a 
difficult balancing act.

Asked whether he had found anyone to represent his interests yet, Di Resta replied: “I’m just driving away myself at the 
moment.

“At the end of the day it’s the results I need to concentrate on because the biggest thing for me is making sure I’m in a Formula One car for next year.

“Right now I’m with Force India doing the best job possible for them, and they’re trying to get the best results for me.

“I’m just trying to secure a drive for the future.”

With reference specifically to being advised by Goddard, 
Di Resta added: “I had James [Williamson] at Silverstone, he was helping.

“They have been very good to me. I am very good friends 
with Jenson [Button] and DC [David Coulthard], who they 
represent.

“It seems the best thing for me to do at the moment. At the end of the day I’m just doing my own thing, getting advice.

“I appreciate I face a crucial decision. I need to decide 
pretty quickly what way I want to go.

“It’s all just happened [the split with Hamilton]. It’s pretty raw, and I’m dealing with it when I’ve got time.

“Of course, we’ve two big weekends before the August break, and I believe that is the time to make sure you are putting yourself in the right places and making sure you know what you are doing.”

Only Red Bull have so far nailed down their drivers for next year in the wake of Mark Webber last week re-signing with the team.

It leaves plenty of seats available, with Di Resta already linked this season with Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

He added: “It’s seeing what 
stability is about and what is happening.

“There is a lot of talk about anybody, a lot of drivers moving at the moment. There are drivers moving everywhere.

“I honestly don’t know where things are. It’s fairly confusing what is going on at the moment, even with Lewis [Hamilton] and what he is doing.

“I don’t think anybody has a true indication of what he is doing, or what direction he is going.”

Di Resta naturally raises a wry smile when a move to Ferrari is mentioned, with his response an obvious one. The 26-year-old said: “Anybody would like to drive for Ferrari at some point in their life, given what they represent in F1, what they’ve achieved and what they mean to the motor industry.

“Obviously there is also 
Mercedes. I’ve been part of that family for a long time.

“But I’ve always said I just want to be winning races, championships, which is the important thing.

“Getting myself into that 
position, whether it’s here or somewhere else, that’s the 
ultimate goal.”