Di Resta tests Williams F1 carposted in F118 | 10 | 2017

    BATHGATE’S PAUL DI RESTA will undertake a full day’s test of a 2014-spec Williams race car at the Hungaroring near Budapest today as he bids to clinch a Formula 1 seat for the 2018 season. (Related: Di Resta impresses on F1 return)

    Di Resta, currently the Williams’ reserve driver, is one of four drivers being considered to partner Canadian youngster Lance Stroll in the team next season.

    The Scot made his first F1 start since 2013 when Felipe Massa was taken ill at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. Di Resta is now vying with Massa, Robert Kubica and Pascal Wehrlein for the second Williams drive. Kubica completed his test yesterday.

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    “The team knows me well enough now,” the 31-year-old, who started 58 grands prix for Force India, said. “I’ve been at Williams more than a year-and-a-half. I've made it very clear what a dream it would be to get in the car for 2018.”

    Di Resta, who continues to race in the German Touring Car Championship with Mercedes, in addition to his Sky Sports F1 pundit duties, is known to be highly rated by Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff.

    But while it’s understood Wolff is considering Di Resta for a reserve driver role at the Mercedes F1 team, alongside three-items world champ Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas, the Scot is focusing on a race seat for next season.

    “No1 target for me is a race seat with Williams in 2018,” Di Resta stated. “That's the one I want to grab. Everything else is of secondary importance at the moment.”

    Related: Di Resta storms to DTM win

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    Jim McGill

     

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