Scot Di Resta gets F1 race seat 24 | 01 | 2011

    SCOT PAUL DI RESTA will finally be confirmed as a Force India Formula One race driver on Wednesday, after months of speculation. The Silverstone-based outfit have scheduled a press conference at the Glasgow HQ of Whyte & Mackay, part of the global drinks empire owned by Indian team boss VJ Mallya, for Wednesday afternoon.

    It's understood the 24-year-old from Bathgate has had a deal signed-up with the team for some time, but Force India has been forced to stay quiet about its plans while it resolved contractual issues with Tonio Liuzzi.

    Though Di Resta, and no one from Force India, was available to comment, it's guaranteed Force India will use the event to confirm he will line up for the forthcoming season. The team used the same location 12 months ago to confirm his role as test and reserve driver.

    It's also expected the Scot, whose promotion follows excellent performances during a number of Friday testing duties for the outfit at a selection of grands prix last season, will partner established driver Adrian Sutil.

    Di Resta, who dovetailed his F1 duties last year with dominant performances on his way to winning the DTM Championship with Mercedes, has stated his intentions of racing in F1 this season.

    "It's no secret that that has been my goal," he said at the weekend. "My aim has always to graduate to a full race seat in Formula One and I believe I'm at the right stage of my career for that to happen.

    "I also gained a huge amount of experience with Force India last year and I would love to develop my relationship and career with them. I'm hoping that, between us, we can progress to the next level."

    Di Resta, who will become the first Scot to race in Formula One since David Coulthard retired in 2008, will also follow in the footsteps of Scottish F1 world champions Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart. Di Resta beat current F1 world champ Sebastian Vettel en route to winning the 2006 European Formula 3 Championship.

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    Jim McGill

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