Formula 1: di Resta dreams of Ferrari drive

Force India's Scottish driver Paul Di Resta. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The 26-year-old Scot is doing all he can to put himself in the shop window this season, securing points in seven of the eight grands prix so far, often from tough grid positions.

Although seemingly overlooked by Red Bull after Mark Webber announced last week he would be quitting F1 at the end of the season, other opportunities may become available.

Not for the first time in his F1 career, Felipe Massa appears to be doing himself no favours after crashing four times in the last three grands prix weekends.

Ferrari’s patience could finally run out, and naturally Di Resta is hoping he would at least be in the frame. “You would jump at it, definitely,” said Di Resta.

Although Scottish born and bred, Di Resta’s family tree is rooted in Italy. His grandfather emigrated to Scotland from  Naples in the 1950s.

He added: “It’s every boy’s dream as they grow up to get in a Ferrari at some point in their life, and being Italian is a nice thing, having the Italian blood. But I will concentrate on my job and let other people do their job. Where I am next year I don’t know, but there are many points up for grabs. That is the important bit – keeping your reputation high.”

Di Resta has produced a number of fine performances this season, notably in the last three races in which he has  been compromised by his grid position.

Heading into this weekend’s German Grand Prix, he is eighth in the drivers’ standings with  36 points, and at present is continually doing all he can to raise his stock.

Despite the apparent snub by Red Bull as they look at Kimi Raikkonen and Toro Rosso duo Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, Di Resta added: “There’s nothing I can do. It is what it is. I’m only trying to do what I can do. I’ve built my reputation in Formula One. I want to be in a winning seat, but it’s down to the decision of the boards of other teams.”