Force India hand F1 test to Scots driver Paul di Resta

Di Resta is currently in the German Touring Car Championship

Force India are giving Scottish driver Paul di Resta the chance to test for a full-time role with the team.

The F1 outfit said the 23-year-old could get a reserve or test position next season if successful during trials in Jerez, Spain next month.

Di Resta is presently with Force India's engine partners, Mercedes, in the German Touring Car Championship.

American IndyLights champion John Hildebrand, 21, will also take part in the tests from 1-3 December.

Di Resta is the cousin of IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti and has tested twice for McLaren.

He said: "F1 has always been my dream and I feel this is one step closer to achieving it."

The Scot is highly rated by Mercedes, with whom he has been for the past three years, and is a former McLaren Autosport BRDC young driver of the year.

606: DEBATE Di Resta has been pushing to get into F1 since last year and is highly regarded by Mercedes IL_LEONE

His test with Force India will also help McLaren and Mercedes get a sense of his F1 potential because the India outfit has a technology partnership with the latter two.

Force India owner Vijay Mallya said: "As a young team we are looking for drivers who can grow with us.

"Nationality isn't the primary selection criteria - it's talent and dedication to the cause, and we have seen enough to know that these two have both."

Hildebrand will become the first American to test an F1 car since Scott Speed for Toro Rosso in 2007.

Meanwhile, BMW will test teenage drivers Alexander Rossi and Esteban Gutierrez in Jerez despite pulling out of F1.

The German car maker said it was "not an option" to deprive the 18-year-olds of the trials they had been promised.

American Rossi and Gutierrez, from Mexico, earned their tests after strong performances in the Formula BMW series.

BMW said in July they were quitting F1, saying "current developments in motorsport" were the reason for their decision.