Bathgate’s Paul di Resta maintained his challenge in the battle for the German Touring Car Championship when he finished second in the latest round at Brands Hatch in Kent.
The 22-year-old, who qualified his Mercedes second on the grid for the 60-minute race, hounded the Audi of race winner and championship leader Timo Scheider right to the chequered flag.
“It was a full-on sprint right from the start of the race,” admitted Di Resta — watched by his friend, F1 ace Lewis Hamilton — who eventually finished just 0.793secs behind the 29-year-old German after 82 laps of the 1.2-mile circuit.
“We pushed Timo all the way but we just couldn’t get the opportunity to pass him. It means he’s opened the gap in the title race another two points, but there’s still plenty of time to haul him back and overtake him.”
With three rounds remaining — at Barcelona, Le Mans and Hockenheim — Di Resta, who also finished second a fortnight ago at the Nurburgring, lies second in the championship, nine points behind Scheider whose victory at Brands Hatch was his second of the season.
JM