PAUL DI RESTA hopes there is another generation of Scottish drivers ready to take their place on the Formula One starting grid in years to come.
The Bathgate racer is bidding for a return to the sport next season with Williams and he could be one of only two Brits with a seat as he bids to join Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in the Championship.
But Scottish motorsport fans have another name to look out for in the future after Bothwell’s Dexter Patterson clinched the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship last month.
The 14-year-old first drove a kart that was bought from Di Resta’s father Louis and he has now eclipsed the likes of David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti and Allan McNish by lifting the title.
And Di Resta is eager to see Tartan talents progressing through the ranks and making a name for themselves as they attempt to follow some of the legends of the sport from these shores.
He told Herald Sport: “I hope there is a lot of talent coming through in Scotland and we have just had our first ever Junior World Karting Champion crowned in the last month.
“That is young Dexter Patterson, who is someone I have known since he was a young boy, since he was probably two-years-old. It is great to see that there are people coming through.
“Right place, right time is important and getting a manufacturer’s backing.
“Getting the attention of people and winning a Championship, you can’t take that away.
“I really hope for the future of Scottish motorsport that happens because motorsport in general is going through a tough phase due to the constraints of funding at the moment.”
Di Resta’s route to Formula One saw him compete in Formula Renault, Formula Three and DTM before he was brought on board by Force India in 2010.
And the cousin of four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti admits any aspiring driver must have the support from those around him if he is to reach the top of the sport.
He said: “I could give loads of advice to different kids. You have got to enjoy the journey, you have got to be passionate about it and you have got to have the family support.
“Never give up, if it is what drives you then keep the focus on and I hope, with that, your family can support you.
“Fundamentally, I think that makes a difference if you have got a good family behind you and a good network behind you.
“Success is key, so focus, don’t get side-tracked and just love doing what you do.”
After losing his seat at Force India four years ago, Di Resta returned to the German Touring Car series, where he was champion in 2010.
He earned a recall to F1 as reserve driver for Williams at the start of last season and is now one of the contenders to partner Canadian Lance Stroll for the 2018 campaign.
And the 31-year-old could be the inspiration for an up-and-coming driver in the future as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of one of his Williams predecessors.
Di Resta said: “My idol has to be Ayrton Senna. There is no secret at all with anybody, he was probably robbed of what was going to be the best Formula One career that anybody was ever going to have. Closer to home, Jim Clark is also regarded as that.
“I have got a lot of heroes, and people at the top of sport generally get a lot of credit from me. Especially if they are sporting individuals, because I appreciate how much it takes to get to the top.”
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