First outing for Di Resta

"For SkyF1 Force India allowed me to talk/record PDiR radio during installation laps telling us what he's doing and how it felt. Car going well"
Martin Brundle Quotes of the week

The car completed four installation laps at the circuit after being launched to the world's media in the morning.

The car will now be shipped to the south of Spain for the first official Formula One test at Jerez, and Di Resta was happy with the initial feel of the car.

The Scot told Sky Sports News: "The car seems very well balanced, obviously you get a bit of an insight on the balance, how it is, but you have to run through some system checks.

"We're here to put the car in front of the cameras today for the media, we've got some dry weather, albeit very cold, so a bit tentative to begin with but hopefully when we get to Jerez we can unleash it properly.

"I'm sure it will change, mechanically and everything, you will naturally progress. But I think it has a good baseline and everyone should be quite happy that the car has undertaken four laps with no problems and we can send it to Jerez."

The 25-year-old is heading into his second full season in Formula 1 and knows that the experience garnered last year will stand him in good stead.

He added: "You can never have too much experience in Formula 1 and in anything you do. You naturally feel more comfortable, I feel very happy in this team and I'm heading into my third year with the team so it feels like a family and I certainly want to be part of it in the future.

"The momentum was on our side at the end of last year and long may that continue."

Stability

With new partners Sahara joining the team, Force India will be looking at improving on their sixth place in 2011 and challenging Lotus. Di Resta knows that financial stability is good for them.

"I think naturally we will progress forward, but that's for the management and the board to decide. All I can say is it's very stable and I think it is very good to have Sahara coming in partnership, coming into Vijay (Mallya), because he will take this team onto bigger things."

At the McLaren launch, Jenson Button admitted he wanted to put pressure on Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel in the hope of exposing any frailties. Di Resta admits he would love to be challenging his F3 Euroseries team-mate at the front.

He said: "I'd like to be putting him under pressure. We are very good friends and were team-mates back in 2006 when I came out on top and won the title.

"It would be a big goal for us, but certainly we will keep fighting, we are a midfield team and will try to keep moving upwards."