Di Resta hopes to do as well at Barcelona

Paul di Resta was on course for his first Grand Prix podium in Bahrain before being caught in the final laps by Romain Grosjean who had fresher tires with his three-stop strategy. The performance remains impressive for the Scot who seems to have a car very competitive at the start of the season. “The car works well, especially when it's hot, and we were also competitive when the temperatures were lower in China, so that's a good sign. The key is finding the right operating window to make the difference”, recalls the 2010 champion of DTM.

After a three-week break, the F1 resumes its rights this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix which marks the start of the European season. Paul di Resta hopes Force India will be able to keep pace with rival teams' progress. With 26 points scored in the first four races, Vijay Mallya's team has the luxury of being fifth in the Manufacturers' Championship, three points ahead of McLaren. “We have to continue doing what we are doing, but we also know that the return to Europe means that there will be important developments from all the teams. I hope we can continue to fight against the big teams and score big points. »

Pirelli could also redistribute the cards since the Italian manufacturer preferred to opt for hard tires which have been reworked in order to be more durable and provide characteristics similar to those of the 2012 season. “We have more data on Barcelona than any other place, but the temperatures will be much higher this time”, adds Paul di Resta. “So I expect there to be quite a bit of impact on the tires. This is one of the tracks where we are constantly looking for the right aero balance to cope with the long, fast turns, particularly turn 3. But you also need grip for the hairpins and chicanes at the end of the lap. »