Paul di Resta staked his claim for the Force India test driver's job clocking the second fastest timing on the third and final day of the Young Driver Test.
Paul di Resta staked his claim for the Force India test driver's job clocking the second fastest timing on the third and final day of the Young Driver Test.
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The DTM driver put in 53 laps in a slightly interrupted afternoon programme and completed his schedule with a best of 1min 18.736, the second quickest of the day.
Reigning British Formula Three champion Daniel Ricciardo topped the timesheet with his best lap of 1m 17.418s. di Resta's fellow hopeful JR Hildebrand finished 10th on the timesheet with his best lap of 1:19.873 during the 41 laps he completed.
It was not a hiccup-free ride but di Resta was happy with the outcome.
"It was a little interrupted this afternoon with one spin into the gravel and then an electrical issue that stopped us out on track so we lost some time in places. All the same the team ran through their programme and despite the stoppages we made progress and I think the team got some good results," he said.
"I think I had a good time at the end and found some more performance so I'm happy on both accounts. Thanks to everyone for a great week and for giving me a chance," added the Scot.
Hildebrand, on the other hand, rued certain issues but thanked the team management for giving him this opportunity.
"It was a little frustrating because we again lost our quickest outings when the engine saving mode switched on and then red flag came out when I was six tenths up on my fastest lap," he lamented.
"That would have put us squarely in the thick of the front runners. I have had a great experience here and I really feel at this point that my confidence and comfort in the car was quite high.
"I've been happy with my performance and I would like to thank the team for giving me this opportunity," he said. Force India chief race engineer Dominic Harlow, however, had no complaint with the way this rookie driver's test panned out.
"A satisfactory completion to the test, with JR driving in the morning and Paul for the afternoon. The weather cost us a little track time at the start of the day and in the early afternoon, but with our programme adjusted we were able to accomplish most of what we set out achieve.
"Overall the Young Driver Test has proven to be a very positive initiative for F1, and it's been a productive test to finish the year," Harlow said.
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