Di Resta in for unwell Massa at Hungary

[yodasarmpit]

Paul Di Resta to step in for Massa this weekend, Massa too unwell to drive.

https://twitter.com/WilliamsRacing/status/891245706798825473

[Tazio]

Should be interesting, this will be his first time driving the 2017 iteration. He's really gotten thrown into the deep end!

[gm99]

Not last and only 7/10ths behind Stroll - not too bad!

[The Black Knight]

DiResta did a tremendous job. I still don't understand why he has not got a full time drive. You look at his ability versus someone like Palmer or Ericsson. What a waste of talent.

[AndyL]

He sure did. There's a good chance he'd have got one or both of the Saubers before the end of the race if not for the reliability problem.

[N. Jones]

He didn't do too bad. I still wish there were at least four more teams to give people like him a chance....and to give positions 7-10 and the points received more meaning.

[Jinu13]

Does anyone know why they chose DiResta? Is it contractual or was he just the only one available?

[Koz]

Does anyone know why they chose DiResta? Is it contractual or was he just the only one available?

He was their official test driver. Who else would be available on an hour's notice?

Given that last time, when Bottas sat out in Australia, they didn't have anyone race for them, I'm actually quite surprised.

[inimitablestoo]

It was because they were unprepared for Bottas' non-start in 2015 that they signed an official reserve. I believe Adrian Sutil had the job initially.

Given that Mercedes have announced they're quitting the DTM (not for another year, but there may be contractual issues) I wonder if di Resta might get the Williams job on a more permanent basis? After all, Massa wasn't originally going to race this season and Paul fits Martini's supposed age restriction rule.