Di Resta: Dual programmes will help

The 23-year-old Scot is Force India's test and reserve driver and will take part in the first days of the next Jerez and Barcelona tests, as well as driving in Friday practice sessions at grands prix.

But he is confident that he will be able to switch between the F1 and DTM cars without issue, and that it will be good for him to keep racing.

"I think it will be reasonably easy," he told AUTOSPORT. "When I've done it the few times, it's a different environment but it's something I need to get my head around. I think I need to keep myself racing as well as being a reserve."

Although di Resta's continued role in the DTM has not been officially confirmed by Mercedes, he says it will go ahead.

"It all looks set to go. There's going to be two programmes so I'm going to be racing, keeping me sharp.

"It's a blessing that Force India wanted me racing to keep myself up to standard. And from the DTM side, they understand that I've got a hard programme coming and I have their blessing for the Formula 1."