Di Resta to make Daytona debut 19 | 10 | 2017
BATHGATE’S PAUL DI RESTA will make his sportscar debut when he contests the 2018 running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. The 31-year-old will drive a United Autosports Ligier JS P217 in the 24-hours race in Florida. (Related: Di Resta tests Williams F1 car)
The confirmation came as Di Resta completed a full day’s testing in a 2014-spec Williams F1 car at the Hungaroring near Budapest yesterday, as he makes a push to return to a full season racing in Formula 1.
But while he would not be drawn on the potential outcome of his F1 test, the Scot — currently the Williams F1 reserve driver, and who will continue to compete with Mercedes in the DTM —admitted he was looking forward to making his Daytona debut. (Related: Di Resta storms to DTM win)
“I’ve never done a 24-hour race and never raced a prototype, so it’s going to be all new to me,” Di Resta smiled. “I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge.”
And the Scot — who will partner United Autosport’s current European Le Mans Series racer, Will Owen, in one of the two Ligiers to be entered by the team — admitted he was delighted to get the call from team owner Zak Brown. The American also owns McLaren.
“Entering a 24-hour race is something I’ve looked at doing before and when Zak asked, I jumped at the opportunity,” Di Resta, who will also continue his Sky Sports F1 pundit duties at this weekend’s US Grand Prix in Texas, said. “I’m really looking forward to racing at Daytona and with United Autosports.
“The Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona is getting bigger every year, so it’s great to be part of it. I plan to do some testing ahead of the race to get integrated into the team, and to get a shot at driving the car prior to heading to Daytona in January.”
And Brown — who was instrumental in double F1 world champ Fernando Alonso competing in this year’s Indianapolis 500 — was quick to admit he was delighted to have Di Resta onboard for Daytona.
“I’m pleased we have managed to pull together a deal for Paul to join the team at Daytona,” Brown stated. “Although he’s not driven our car before, he’s had plenty of racing experience in different categories so I’m confident he will have a good race and enjoy being with the team.”
And fellow United Autosports owner, and managing director Richard Dean, believes Di Resta and Owen — who will be joined by a further co-driver for Daytona — will form a strong partnership.
“Will and Paul form a very strong line up and we are now very close to completing all the drivers for both cars,” Dean, who oversaw the Leeds-based team’s return to the Le Mans 24-Hours earlier this year, said.
“It will be great to have Paul racing with us at Daytona. He is fast and will bring a wealth of racing experience to the team. Paul is still having success as a driver and is always a winner in everything he does.
“I’m very excited for United Autosports to return to Florida for the 24-hour race.”
Related: Di Resta impresses on F1 return
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Jim McGill