F1: Paul Di Resta 'close' to contract

From GMM

Paul di Resta has revealed he is "close" to securing a formula one role for 2009.

It was believed the 22-year-old Scot had dropped out of contention, after Force India confirmed an unchanged driver lineup for next year.

But the Daily Record newspaper reports that a test role remains a possibility.

"I'm close to putting pen to paper on a deal. Formula one remains a possibility," di Resta, who drives for Mercedes in the DTM series, said.

The report said di Resta, who is being managed by Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony, might assume a straight testing role, or split his duties with staying in the German touring car category.