Points are on the agenda for Di Resta

By JIM McGILL
Published on 27/07/2012 12:18

Bathgate’s Paul di Resta bids to avoid an unwanted 
hat-trick this weekend when 
he fires up his Sahara Force India for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

After failing to score world championship points in the last two races at Silverstone and Hockenheim, the 26-year-old is determined to get back into the top 10.

“There’s no denying the last two races have been disappointing from the perspective of not scoring points,” Di Resta admitted yesterday.

“The positive thing is I know, on both occasions, the results were directly influenced by factors outwith my control.

“At Silverstone I suffered a puncture when the back of the car was hit by the Lotus of 
Romain Grosjean.

“Then last weekend we had a ‘slight misunderstanding’ 
when I came in for my first pitstop and the crew fitted the wrong compound of tyres to the car.

“That meant we were forced to switch from the optimum three-stopper to a two-stop race, and that basically scuppered hopes of any points.”

Despite the problems in Germany, Di Resta finished 11th, but he heads into free practice at the Hungaroring today hoping for better things.

“I had a really strong race here 12 months ago, finishing seventh,” the Scot, who has already equalled his 2011 championship haul of 27 points, with still half the season remaining, continued.

“We know we have a fast car. We just need to make sure we have a weekend when we maximise our potential.”

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso heads into the weekend determined to extend his 34-point advantage in the race for the championship.

But after dominating at Hockenheim, to seal his third win of the season, the double world champ is taking nothing for granted.

“It will be another difficult weekend,” he said, “but we’re in a very strong position and hopefully we can deliver the 
results again.”