Friday drive for Force India’s Di Resta in Australia

Force India’s test and reserve driver Paul di Resta will make his Formula One practice debut in Australia on Friday. Di Resta will replace Adrian Sutil during the opening practice session at Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit, as he seeks to gain further track time and experience behind the wheel of the team’s VJM03.

“Paul is a very good driver and has a lot of potential,” explained team principal Vijay Mallya. “But as a third driver the question is how he can use this potential if there’s no testing in-season. This is a good solution all round, he can learn the car and the tracks in real time and therefore spend his simulator time helping to develop the car, which will be of real benefit to us. The race drivers are very supportive of the move – they’ve all been young drivers at one time!”