Di Resta Crippled By Second Practice Miss

Paul di Resta admitted that his lack of running in the second practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix, on Friday, may influence his performances in quali tomorrow. After trying out the car on the Pirelli tires in FP1, the Scot was sidelined throughout the afternoon action in Shanghai due to a fuel pressure problem with his VJM04.

According to Force India's circuit engineering director Dominic Harlow, the problem that occurred with the car in the early hours of the afternoon could not have been fixed in time to allow Di Resta to enjoy some track time on the option tires, but the team hopes the Scot will make up for the lost time in tomorrows last free practice.

“The cars are increasingly complex now with the extra systems on board, and the work involved to complete the job was too much,” admitted Harlow. “It was frustrating, but the issue is now eliminated and we will make up for the lost track time as best possible in the remaining practice sessions.”

Di Resta is yet to try on the soft Pirelli compound on Shanghai, and is worried that this might affect his performances on Saturday.

“Obviously it's crucial to try and take part in FP2,” said Di Resta, after finishing 15th in FP1, according to Autosport. “I think that I am a little more disadvantaged than I have been at any other grand prix now because effectively I have lost three sets of tires and the important part where you try to do a bit of quali and race simulation.”

“The guys are working hard, so hopefully we can catch up on some lost ground tomorrow morning.”