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May 23rd
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Di Resta: Podiums possible for Findia

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Force India driver Paul di Resta has suggested that the Indian squad could be aiming for podium finishes in the 2012 F1 season, though the Scotsman admitted that things would have to fall "perfectly in line" for that to be achievable.

Force India enjoyed their best F1 season to date in 2011, finishing sixth in the constructors championship, right behind the Lotus Renault GP team in fifth.

For 2012, di Resta will be partnered by German driver Nico Hulkenberg, who replaces Adrian Sutil at the team.

And after their impressive 2011 season, di Resta says that it is certainly "possible" for the team to chase podium finishes in 2012.

"Anything's possible," he quipped to his home media in Scotland this week, "I finished sixth in Singapore last year, was pushing for fourth in Canada, and looking at a top-five finish at Silverstone."

He went on: "Everyone knows the Red Bulls, McLarens, Ferraris and Mercedes are faster than us. For us to finish on the podium would need quite a few stars to fall perfectly in line.

"The one thing I can guarantee is we'll be doing everything we can to make sure if the opportunity arises to push for a podium finish, I'll be there to take advantage."

The Scotsman added that he was confident that the ever-improving Indian team could keep up the momentum from 2011, which saw them move right to the front of the midfield pack by the end of the season.

"We established a huge amount of momentum in the second half of 2011, and everyone in the team is determined to maintain that into this season," he bellowed.

"With Nico, we have one of the youngest and most aggressive driving partnerships on the grid and that, in conjunction with the new car for 2012, indicates we're going to be very competitive."

He added that the team's main aim for 2012 would be to try and secure a top five finish in the constructors championship.

"We only missed out on fifth place in the championship by four points last year," he grinned, "We're determined to make sure that’s where we finish this year."

Di Resta finished 13th in the 2011 championship, picking up a best finish of 6th place in the Singapore GP.