Paul di Resta will return to the Mercedes DTM team after agreeing a new deal for 2014, following his exit from the Force India F1 team.
The Scottish driver has previously raced in the German Touring Car series, but left when he was signed by the Silverstone based outfit back in 2011.
However with an all-new line-up of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg this year, Di Resta has been left without a seat and therefore agreed that a move back to DTM with Mercedes was the best alternative as it may present an opportunity for him to get behind the wheel of their F1 car in the future.
“I’m sad to go but I’ve had three tremendous years and I’m not leaving because I didn’t perform, there are other issues,” he told Autosport.
“I’m still young enough that I can get back in there if the opportunity comes up,” he added.
The 27-year-old is hopeful that Mercedes will offer him some testing time in the W05 later in the season thanks to the return of in-season testing.
“Racing in the DTM makes sense, and it lets me combine something with F1 and keep my foot in the door should something come up.
“I think Mercedes are well aware that that’s where I want to be, and I have their full support,” he explained.
“I’m keen to stay involved in F1, and I think I can bring things to a team because I’ve got the experience of being there.”
Discussion about this post