Naturally in Formula 1, those challenging for race wins and podiums garner the most attention. But often it is worthwhile to examine the midfield pack.
As the Formula 1 paddock arrives for the Europe straight of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix, Paul Di Resta has proved to be one of the standout performers of the season so far.
The Force India driver is 8th in the Drivers Championship with 20 points from four races and just missed out on his first ever podium by a whisker in Bahrain three weeks ago.
The 27-year-old’s decent form should come as no surprise. This his third year as a Formula 1 driver and in his two previous seasons, he has shown remarkable consistency with regular points finishes even if 13th and 14th in the Drivers Championship are all he has to show for it. He is also a competent in qualification.
Force India’s owner has lavished Di Resta with praise while ex-Formula 1 driver and fellow Scot Allan McNish has compared his compatriot to triple-World Champion and F1 safety pioneer Jackie Stewart for his driving style. McNish also claimed that Di Resta has the makings of a future wold champion.
His own team’s deputy principal Bob Fernley also touted him for future success saying that Di Resta could become a world champion in a team like Red Bull.
Red Bull, Ferrari or McLaren?
A position alongside reigning triple-World Champion Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull is a possibility with Mark Webber expected to finally cut himself loose from a team that has not served him well in recent years.
The 2010 DTM champ has also tested with McLaren in the past and there is much uncertainty surrounding Sergio Perez, while Ferrari may seek an able partner for Fernando Alonso in 2014, despite Felipe Massa’s vastly improved form.
In the short-term at least there is no way that he could become a world champion if he joined Red Bull or Ferrari as Alonso and Vettel will surely not allow such a possibility to occur both in terms of ability and intentions.
But has Di Resta enough potential to warrant a billing as a future title winner?
His consistency is one of his plus points but in truth, he has yet to show that extra 10 per cent that would elevate him to that status.
In the last two seasons, he has been beaten by both of his team-mates. That is often a good arbiter of ability. In 2011, Adrian Sutil finished 15 points clear of him. Mitigating circumstances include the fact that it was Di Resta’s debut season – and a solid one at that – as well as the German’s greater experience.
But last season, Di Resta was also beaten by another German team-mate, Nico Hulkenburg, who finished 17 points ahead of him. Hulkenburg’s F1 career is only a year longer than Di Resta.
Di Resta has been winning the internal team battle in 2013 so far, with the returning Sutil 14 points behind him. Of course that picture could change and Sutil could turn the tables on him in the 15 races to come this season.
But if Di Resta and his advocates have any notion of him being a viable future champion he must beat Sutil over the course of this season. Otherwise he may have to settle with a No 2 role if one of the big teams comes calling.
