Paul di Resta has set his sights on a podium finish this season and is confident Force India will continue in the upward trajectory it has experienced over recent years.
Di Resta completed half a day of testing on Tuesday in his new role as a Force India race driver. He was testing last year's chassis to gain a greater understanding of the new Pirelli tyres, but is confident that when the new car hits the track it will be good enough to challenge for regular points and even the odd podium.
"I don't think that is too far out of reach, given how the team has performed at Spa and Monza in recent years," he said. "This year hopefully they'll be some other tracks that we'll be decent at, but really it comes down to Bahrain when everybody gets their latest spec car on the track in qualifying - that will give us an indication if it is going to be a good year ahead or it's going to be one with a lot of work. But I'm sure everybody is a bit nervous of that up and down the paddock.
He said Force India has created a very solid base over the last few years on which it can build a competitive car.
"They've been very stable with what they are packaging and I think the introduction of the Mercedes engine and McLaren gearbox [in 2009] has given them great stability to design a car. In 2009 it wasn't an influence on the design, last year I think we managed to design a good car, this year we're looking for more.
"I'm sure the whip has been cracked a bit more to up the guys back at the factory and on the numbers I think we're on target. But it's all unknown until all these things work with the KERS, with the new tyres, with the adjustable rear wing - they've got huge influence on the lap time. It's just making sure they work when they need to work."
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