Paul di Resta will hope to keep his
DTM championship hopes alive on home soil at
Brands Hatch at end of the month, with the Scot aiming to build on his maiden win earlier in the year at Lausitz to improve on his fourth in the standings.
Crash.net Radio's Rob Wilkins took the chance to speak to the AMG Mercedes driver during a
DTM preview event held by Mobil 1 at Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands ahead of his home round of the campaign…
Crash.net:
How do you feel the season gone so far?
Paul di Resta:
I think it's been a good season so far. I've had my first win in the
DTM but at the end of the day, we have had a consistent year and are still in contention for the championship. We aren't too far behind and are still in the hunt, so we are pushing hard to keep making good progress and stay on top.
Crash.net:
Just describe your feelings when you took that first win.
Paul di Resta:
I came close a few times last year and we were on the podium four times, so we came close. This year kicked off quite well but we had a very strong weekend at Lausitz, were on pole, set a new lap record in the race and won. It was a satisfying win ahead of three Audis. I hoped it would come sooner, but then we had to move on and think about the next race. I hope we can get some more wins and the main thing is to score as many points as possible for the rest of the year.
Crash.net:
The next race is at
Brands Hatch where it didn't go to plan last year. How determined are you to put on a good display this year as a result?
Paul di Resta:
At the end of the day, I'm no more determined than I am at any other race. I have to do the same job eleven times in a year and I am a great believer that you have to go to every race with the same attitude. Although it is nice to be at home and be in front of the British fans, I have the same attitude as ever and that is to win the race. I hope we can be there and be fast and put on a good show. Hopefully we can score as many points as possible.
Crash.net:
Does it give a boost at all in front of the home fans?
Paul di Resta:
I suppose it does. We will be doing a lot of interviews, in English obviously, but I am there to do the same job every weekend and that is why I am with Mercedes. I hope we can go there with a strong package.
Crash.net:
How important do you think it is for the
DTM to have a round in Britain?
Paul di Resta:
I think it is quite important and with Mercedes alone, there are four British drivers. There are a lot of people who support us when we are in Germany through the live coverage there is in Britain, so it is nice for them to come along and see what we are all about. Hopefully they can enjoy a good weekend with plenty of entertainment.
Crash.net:
Crowd numbers at
Brands Hatch don't compare favourably to places like Hockenheim. Do you find that disappointing at all?
Paul di Resta:
It is a little bit but we need to promote it. I'm sure each year we go [to Britain], it will get better and hopefully this year will be good. Lewis Hamilton is doing the demonstration which will bring some more people in and if people come along, they will see what a good weekend it is. Hopefully the weather will be good for spectators as it can put a dampener on things when it isn't so great. But I'm sure anyone who comes along will enjoy it.
Crash.net:
