Toro Rosso eyed di Resta years ago

Paul di Resta

(GMM) Paul di Resta's formula one career almost got off to a flying start a few years ago.

Actually, the 25-year-old Scot is only a rookie in 2011, and hoping to be given the green light to stay with Force India next season.

His career however seemed on a fast track at the end of 2006, when he beat his teammate Sebastian Vettel to the coveted F3 Euroseries title.

It was then that di Resta caught the attention of former Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger.

"Franz Tost and I considered signing him years ago," the Austrian great revealed to Sportmagazin. "He has great potential."

That is not Berger's only regret from his days with Toro Rosso — another is signing the multiple Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais.

"I was wrong about him," said the former Ferrari and McLaren driver. "He came from America where he had won everything, but formula one was just too fast for him.

"The late braking was too much for him," added Berger.