Di Resta concedes Force India are not yet force they want to be

Di Resta will be one of four rookies on the Formula 1 grid for 2011, with the Scot joined by Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado at Williams, Mexican Sergio Perez with Sauber and Belgian Jerome D’Ambrosio at Marussia Virgin Racing.

On one hand, there are many who have high hopes for Di Resta as he has long been touted as an F1 star in the making, even if his route via German touring cars has appeared somewhat circuitous.

On the other, not too much should be expected of the 24-year-old as Force India are a team still trying to make their way in the sport. After a promising start to 2010, they tailed off.

Di Resta says the team’s goal at the start of the year was for a fifth- or sixth-placed finish in the constructors’ championship. In the wake of pre-season testing the ambition remains the same, but Di Resta feels that is now “going to be difficult”.

He said: “We’d like to be a bit further on than we are. It’s going to be hard work, certainly at the beginning, but it’s the job at hand. That is the way Formula 1 is.

“The car is definitely not quite there yet. We are improving, which is the main thing, but we’d like to be that bit quicker. We’re not too far away. It’s a case of going through it thoroughly and understanding it to make sure what is going back to the factory is the right information because that is when you see big steps.

“I’m sure everybody is in the same position. You just have to make sure you’re in a position where you can jump on it.

“In terms of race distance and reliability, it has been fantastic so far. That’s definitely been one positive.

“So it’s about the finer details and extracting the performance, which means we’ve got a fight on our hands.”

Di Resta knows he will have more of an idea as to where he, the team and their rivals stand following his debut in Australia this weekend, which is why he faces the season “with an open mind”.

At least Di Resta is not a total novice given his year as reserve and test driver last season, notably taking part in eight practice sessions on a Friday morning.

“I feel quite naturally at home with what I’m doing now,” added Di Resta.

“I’m just fully focused on the job at hand. I accept that is where I am and I’m enjoying it.”

Don’t miss your expert guide to the new F1 season in tomorrow’s Yorkshire Post.