May 25 (GMM) Force India's test and reserve driver Paul di Resta will this week sit out another morning practice session.

The Scot has tested during the initial track session at every grand prix event this year with the exception of Bahrain and Monaco.

Di Resta, 24, had to defer to the race drivers in Bahrain because of the altered track configuration, and Monaco "due to the challenging layout of the circuit", amid the need for Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi to maximise their cockpit time.

Force India confirmed on Tuesday that the DTM driver, who raced in Valencia between the Monaco and Turkish grands prix, will sit out Friday's session at Istanbul Park because the car will be fitted with "some new development items".

The Silverstone based team is sixth in the constructors' championship, 35 points behind Renault.

"It was a late call from the team but I completely understand their decision as there are some new upgrades coming through this race that really need the drivers' and the team's attention," said di Resta.

Team racer Vitantonio Liuzzi last week scotched rumours he is in danger of losing his seat to the highly rated rookie di Resta.

"I am not worried about these rumours; speculation is always at the door and all over the papers," the Italian told espnf1.com.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version