Di Resta confirmed to Force India race seat

Force India has confirmed that it will promote DTM champion Paul di Resta to a race seat in 2011, while former Williams racer Nico Hulkenberg will join the Silverstone-based team as reserve driver.

Di Resta replaces Italian Vitantonio Luizzi alongside Adrian Sutil in the Force India race seats having performed reserve and test driver duties alongside his Mercedes commitments in the DTM in 2010.

The move sees the Scot return to single-seater racing for the first time since beating current F1 champion Sebastian Vettel to the F3 Euro Series title in 2006.

'Naturally I am thrilled to be making my race debut this season," said di Resta. "Becoming an F1 driver has been a long-held ambition of mine, something I've wanted to do since I first stepped into a kart, and to finally realise it feels amazing.

"I've worked really hard for this opportunity throughout my career and to get it with Force India, a young team that's got ambitions as big as mine, is genuinely exciting. I can't wait to be on the grid in Bahrain, it can't come soon enough."

Meanwhile, 2009 GP2 Series champion Hulkenberg has been forced to settle for a reserve driver role after being unable to find a race seat for the 2011 F1 season.

'I am happy I can stay in F1 in 2011," he said. "I am looking forward to working with Force India and I am sure the team will continue improving in the future. I appreciate the team trusting me by signing a long-term contract. I will do my very best to live up to expectations.'

The German driver enjoyed an impressive rookie season with Williams last year, taking a maiden pole position in Brazil on his way to 14th in the final standings.

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Andy Wilkinson

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