Di Resta starts awards haulposted in DTM04 | 12 | 2010
JUST DAYS after returning from China, where he clinched the DTM Championship in Shanghai, Bathgate's Paul di Resta was on his travels again today; but this time to pick up a number of awards. The 24-year-old Scot, whose promotion to Formula One Force India driver for 2011 is expected to be signed in a few weeks, flew to Frankfurt today to attend Germany's Blue Riband awards ceremony.
Di Resta is the main attraction at the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (German Motor Sports Association) awards this evening as he collects his DTM Championship trophy in front of many of the world's leading drivers, including seven-times F1 world champ Michael Schumacher. And the quiet Scot admitted he hadn't quite realised the significance of his title.
"To me the DTM Championship was a series of races I had always wanted to win and, taking one race at a time, that's all you really focus on through the season," Di Resta explained. "I really wasn't aware just how big this title is.
"The amount of media attention there's been not only back in Scotland and the rest of the UK, but the rest of mainland Europe and particularly Germany, has taken me by surprise.
"It's really a pretty mega title to have won and it's only really these past few days, when I've had a chance to chill out a bit and catch up with my family and friends, that it's all begun to sink in."
Di Resta, who will fly back to London tomorrow to attend the prestigious Autosport Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, has also been catching up with his cousin Dario Franchitti.
The double Indy500 winner and triple IndyCar champ has been chilling out, literally, in the deep snows which hit his home in Perthshire this week. Franchitti though will also travel to London tomorrow where he is expected to receive a special award in recognition of his IndyCar achievements.
"What Paul has achieved this year is fantastic," Franchitti, the TW Steel ambassador and who will attend the London awards with his Target Ganassi team boss, Chip Ganassi, acknowledged. "Not only did he lead Mercedes' challenge in the DTM, but he was also travelling the world as test and reserve driver for Force India.
"He's worked tirelessly this year and has shown just what a quick and versatile driver he is. I can't wait to see him racing in Formula One; no one deserves the opportunity more than he does."
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Jim McGill