Ferrari eyeing Force India's di Resta for 2013 season

Barcelona, May 10 (IANS) Sahara Force India driver Paul di Resta is in line to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari for the 2013 Formula One season.

Daily Mirror Wednesday reported that Ferrari has shortlisted di Resta for a possible replacement of the struggling Massa, who had an ordinary 2011 and has collected just two points from the first four races of 2012.

The paper report also claimed that The Scuderia outfit inquired about di Resta during the Chinese Grand Prix last month.

The 26-year-old, who made his F1 debut with Force India last year, has been impressive this season with three points finishes from four rounds. His best result came in Bahrain last month when he finished sixth after starting 10th on the grid.

The Scot has also managed to outpace his German teammate Nico Hulkenberg, earning 15 of the team's 17 points.

Three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart also feels di Resta is the ideal man to drive alongside the experienced Fernando Alonso.

"Paul di Resta would be a very good target for Ferrari because Alonso probably has the best toolkit of knowledge and physically is one the best drivers in the world.

"Alonso is almost at his peak and to have a young driver such as Di Resta be an understudy to Alonso is something I would consider if I was at Ferrari," Stewart was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Di Resta was also linked to the Mercedes GP team last year.