Di Resta still hopes to follow Hamilton

(GETTY IMAGES)

Motor racing Paul Di Resta remains determined to follow in Lewis Hamilton's tracks and become the next Briton to race in Formula One.

Speculation continues to link him with the second Force India drive, even though team boss Vijay Mallya has confirmed that disappointing Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil will stay for 2009.

Di Resta is a product of the same McLaren Mercedes-Benz driver system that propelled Hamilton to the championship. Now that McLaren are supplying engines and drivetrains to Force India, McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh is expected to lobby Mallya strongly on Di Resta's behalf.

"I'm not going to say that I am definitely not in contention, my name has been bandied about," Di Resta said. "I don't know where I stand or if it is going to happen."

The 22-year-old added: "It is undecided what I will be doing next year. I have been a member of the Mercedes-Benz family for four years, but until anything is signed I just have to hope that it will happen when I am still young and at my best."