Di Resta set for Force India
McLaren wait and see on reserve driver
Britain's Paul di Resta is set to become a grand prix regular as Force India's reserve driver while compatriot Gary Paffett will be McLaren's main tester, according to team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
The McLaren boss told Reuters after the Mercedes launch in Stuttgart that his team needed to replace Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, who has taken a race seat at Sauber, but were in no hurry to do so.
Paffett, who is racing in the German Touring Car (DTM) championship with Mercedes this season, will give the new McLaren its test debut on Monday in Valencia before champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton get their hands on it.
Di Resta, 23-year-old cousin of IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti who has tested a McLaren previously and been supported by the team and engine partners Mercedes, was not an option to replace De la Rosa.
"Paul will be running I believe in the majority of the Friday sessions (at grand prix weekends) for Force India, so it's a great opportunity for him," said Whitmarsh, whose McLaren team have a co-operation agreement with Force India.
Formula One teams have always had the option to put reserves in the car during Friday practice to make up for the lack of testing during the season, but rarely do so.
"If you are trying to win a championship, to not allow your principal drivers the Friday session is not something we would contemplate," said Whitmarsh.
"But it's something that some other teams are looking at and it's a great opportunity for Paul."
McLaren are due to present their team and new car on Friday but Whitmarsh said only Paffett would be named alongside Hamilton and new arrival Button.