Jan.4 (PVM) Paul di Resta who once raced against, and beat, Sebastian Vettel in Formula 3 is keen to take on the double world champion, this time battling at the front of the Formula 1 pack.
“We were team-mates in Formula 3 in 2006 and we had the same equipment. Fortunately, I came out on top that year and we had a great battle that went right down to the wire,” Di Resta told the Daily Star, referring to when the pair raced as team mates for the ASM F3 squad in the 2006 Formula 3 Euro Series which Di Resta went on to win with Vettel taking the runner-up spot in the title race.
Fast forward to 2012 and Vettel has two F1 world titles under his belt, while Di Resta has only just completed his rookie season, albeit impressively and now the Scot is hankering to resume his battle his rival from the junior series.
“I’d like to be racing him at the front of Formula One. I have a lot of respect for what he’s done. You can’t take away what he’s achieved this year or diminish his success, but he’s been in the best car,” observed the 25-year-old.
Di Resta will be up against a new team-mate in 2012, as Nico Hulkenberg has replaced Adrian Sutil in the Force India team.
“I don’t care which driver I have as a team-mate as long as I am beating them. But you need someone pushing you along at the same time,” declared Di Resta.