Di Resta sympathises with Bianchi | 2013 F1 season

Paul di Resta sympathised with Jules Bianchi and congratulated Adrian Sutil on returning to Force India as his team mate.

Bianchi drove for Force India during nine practice sessions last year and has driven their new car twice in testing. But the team chose to re-hire former drivers Sutil for 2013.

'I welcome Adrian back, I said whoever the team choose I'll be very supportive,' said Di Resta. 'Jules was very close to us as well and you've got to feel a little bit sorry for where he is.'

'But I think Adrian, we've worked well together, we're good friends, we'll work our way together, we'll push the team on. The board have taken the decision he's they right person they want to represent Sahara Force India.

'The good relationship will start from where it left off in 2011. But at the end of the day it is competitive and I want to come out on top.'

Despite the uncertainty over its driver line-up having an effect on who has driven the VJM06, Di Resta is encouraged by the progress the team has made with it:

'I think we're further forward at this point than we were last year. So I think that's a positive to take.'

'But [we're] fully focused on making it faster because we've still got three days ahead of ourselves before the car gets shipped to Melbourne. That's when it counts and that's where we need to arrive in good shape, likely to pounce upon the attack from our midfield competitors.'

He added the car would not be radically changed between now and the first race of the season:

'There's things slowly going on the car but essentially I think this is the car we'll be racing in Melbourne, what we arrived here with. We're looking to maximise what we can from that.

'I think that's something we did last year ' rather than get carried away with upgrades coming let's understand the package we've got and slowly but surely introduce things that are going to benefit it in the right way.'

2013 F1 season

• Grosjean ends his last day of testing on top
• Is 3D or Ultra HD the future of F1 broadcasting?
• Di Resta sympathises with Bianchi
• Rossi and Ma get Caterham practice opportunities
• 2013 F1 testing day ten in pictures

Browse all 2013 F1 season articles

Image © Force India