McLaren evaluating di Resta for F1 future

The Briton, who is receiving management help from Anthony Hamilton, tested for McLaren at Silverstone last week and is due to get another two-day run later this month.

And McLaren boss Ron Dennis says the team are evaluating di Resta's potential - for what could be a testing role with the team or even a race drive.

"We have a policy of trying to promote young drivers into F1," said Dennis.

"Paul did a great job when he was evaluated in our simulator a few months ago and it was at that point that it was agreed between Norbert Haug, Martin Whitmarsh and myself that, as and when he got over his DTM season, there was the possibility of him being integrated in some way into F1.

"That's not necessarily with McLaren or with any specific team but obviously to put your weight behind someone you've got to have a very clear perspective of what they can do. So that's why we are going through this process."

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug has suggested the next step for di Resta could be a season in GP2, before perhaps a step up to F1 in 2010. He insisted, however, that nothing was decided - and would not be until after his next test with the team.

"He did a great job in the simulator and this is quite a good baseline for the judgement," explained Haug. "We do not want to make big noises to the outside world, but we have to evaluate these guys and we have to give them the chance, if they are talented enough to do the next step.

"DTM is a very tough series, but of course if you can climb up the ladder and make it in F1 we certainly will try to support for Paul the options for next year are probably GP2 or DTM. Nothing is decided. But we just need to check and find out and then we see what the next steps are.

"I think he's an exceptional guy, a cool guy and he has the ingredients, but you never know. You need to find out and then go from there."