Paul di Resta feels ready to lead Force India next season
Paul di Resta says he feels ready to lead Force India next season if the outfit elects to place a less experienced driver alongside him
With current team-mate Nico Hulkenberg moving to Sauber, Force India is currently evaluating a long list of potential replacement candidates.
Drivers linked to the seat include Bruno Senna, Sebastien Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari, Kamui Kobayashi, Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil, Luiz Razia and Charles Pic.
And di Resta has said he will be happy to either work alongside another experienced team-mate or take the mantle of team leader.
"To be perfectly honest, I don't mind," he said when asked what kind of team-mate he would like. "It is not my decision and it is not something that I should be concerned about.
"I am employed to do a job and deliver on track. Whatever their decision will be, will be.
"I feel I probably could deal with having a rookie in the team, and equally deal with someone being competitive in the team.
"Either way it doesn't swing me, but as a team you want to be scoring points. It is not something that has been discussed yet, because normally it goes on a bit longer but I am happy with the position I am in at the moment."
Di Resta thinks that after nearly two seasons in F1, he has the necessary knowledge to lead development of a car.
"I feel that I have got enough experience and feel that I have been part of this team long enough," he said.
"This is a strong midfield contender team and it is a fight, a fight every weekend to get what you can out of it.
"It is hard work, but it has taught me a lot over the last few years about how much you fight and the rewards."
Although di Resta's contract for 2013 has not yet been officially confirmed, it is believed to be a formality for him to stay.
Speaking about the situation he said: "It is the team's policy not to discuss it, but I am not going getting flustered about it, as you can see.
"I am not in any way slightly worried."
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