Paul Di Resta has driving ambition at Force India

THIRTY-NINE days before the Formula 1 season gets under way in the sweltering heat of Bahrain, Force India chose snowy Glasgow to confirm Bathgate's Paul di Resta will be the team's reserve and test driver for 2010.

But the 23-year-old, who will dovetail another assault on the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) title alongside his F1 duties, is hungry to take the next step and become a fully fledged grand prix racer.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me," said Di Resta. "To be joining a leading team like Force India is fantastic for me. I'm delighted to be reserve and test driver, but what I really want to do is race.

"This is another step towards me being on the starting grid for a Formula 1 Grand Prix. That's what I've always dreamed about and hopefully, if I continue to impress everyone in the team, the next move will be a race drive."

Last season the team's reserve driver, Tonio Liuzzi, was promoted into a race seat after fellow Italian Giancarlo Fisichella moved to Ferrari.

"I'm ready to race as soon as I get the opportunity," Di Resta said. "I know the team have two very good drivers, Tonio and Adrian (Sutil], under contract for this season, but I'm looking at the long-term future with the team."

Di Resta's contract will see him take to the track for the Friday practice sessions ahead of the grands prix as the team, backed by its engine supplier Mercedes-Benz, develops his F1 knowledge and experience.

"I think he deserves the opportunity," said Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug. "He did a good job when he tested with Force India in December and I think he is one to watch. He is good. Very good."

And Di Resta , who beat Sebastian Vettel – already a grand prix winner with Red Bull – to the European Formula 3 Championship in 2006, received praise from Force India owner, Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya. "We are very proud to have someone of Paul's calibre joining the team as his potential is clear and he has the right attitude for making it in F1," said Mallya, whose drinks empire includes whisky brand Whyte & Mackay which hosted yesterday's announcement at its HQ.

While many of the F1 teams are currently developing their cars at the first official test at Valencia, Silverstone-based Force India will not unveil its new car until later this month. Di Resta will drive the all-new 2010 racer for the first time at Jerez on February 19/20.

For the Scot though, who aims to emulate Scots F1 legends Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart by being crowned world champion, the wait has been well worth it.

"Since those early days when I was karting at places like Larkhall, I've dreamed of being a Formula One driver," said di Resta, a cousin of double IndyCar champ Dario Franchitti. "At times it might have looked as though it wasn't going to happen, but I always had faith in my own ability."

Meanwhile, F1 teams yesterday agreed to change the points system for this season. The top ten will now be rewarded in a 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 sequence to encourage what the FIA called "the race to win". Drivers reaching the third and final phase of qualifying will also have to start the race on the same set of tyres with which their grid time was set.