Grapevine: Castrol Rankings: chance for di Resta
Paul di Resta could make a significant gain in the Castrol Rankings if he can break his winless streak in the DTM at the Norisring this weekend
The Force India F1 test driver currently lies 62nd, having made up nine places since the start of the season, and has high hopes of a victory at a track where his HWA Mercedes has not been defeated since 2002.
A victory would probably promote the British driver to a position inside the top 50, and that could make him the DTM's highest-ranked driver. Any finishing position higher than sixth would improve his current score, although this will not necessarily improve his Castrol Rankings position.
He will have to beware the threat of his team-mate Jamie Green though, who has won at the Norisring for the past two years and has an older-generation car than the Scotsman, something that should advantage him as his machine is 25kg lighter as the rules allow.
That regulation could also play into the hands of Phoenix Racing driver Mike Rockenfeller, driving a 2008-spec Audi A4. Rockenfeller's season has already been a great one, his wins at the Daytona and Le Mans 24 Hour races moving him up from 130th to 66th since January.
The highest-ranked driver in action this weekend is Jimmie Johnson (4) who is aiming to make it three NASCAR Sprint Cup wins in a row this weekend as the series moves onto Daytona.
Restrictor plate races though, have been the forte of Jamie McMurray (52) and his Earnhardt Ganassi Chevrolet though. And Roush Ford men Matt Kenseth (31) and Carl Edwards (34) have yet to win this year, despite being there or thereabouts everywhere.
Dario Franchitti (9) could move up two places in the Castrol Rankings, but only if the IndyCar race at Watkins Glen bears fruit for the champion. A podium finish will likely move him ahead of F1 World Champion Jenson Button and the top-ranked IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe.
To see the full Castrol Rankings, visit www.castroldriverrankings.com
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