Paul Di Resta confirmed as first driver for Aston Martin DTM program

Paul Di Resta

R-Motorsport has confirmed the signing of 2010 DTM champion Paul di Resta as the first driver of its Aston Martin DTM effort. The Scotsman comes over from the now defunct Mercedes DTM operation, with which he spent nine seasons.

“I am looking forward to the new DTM season and the challenge to compete with the Aston Martin Vantage DTM car for my new team R-Motorsport," said di Resta.

“It will certainly be not easy to challenge our competition of experienced teams of big premium manufacturers with our comparatively small outfit. However my impression of our team’s professionalism and ambition is very positive and I’ll go into the preparation of the championship season with a good feeling. I can’t wait to drive the Aston Martin Vantage DTM car at the first test on the race track and contribute my part to the development of the new car."

Di Resta competed in 126 DTM races, in which he took eleven race wins, nine pole positions and 37 podiums.

Team Principal Florian Kamelger commented: “In Paul, we have secured the services of a knowledgeable and experienced driver with an impressive sporting CV."

“This signing is a key element in the development of our new Aston Martin Vantage DTM. His experience and natural speed should help us to quickly bring the new DTM car up to a competitive standard. We are aware that this is not going to be an easy task for us at R-Motorsport, because in the DTM we are facing competition from works teams who not only have the backing of well-known premium manufacturers but have also grown accustomed to success over the years. But it’s a challenge that we are happy to rise to, and we’re looking forward to the upcoming DTM season."

The signing will leave Di Resta's association with HWA intact, as the Aston Martin DTM venture will be operated by a joint venture of HWA AG and AF Racing AG, R-Motorsport's parent company.