Mercs: Di Resta on our radar..(Formula 1 Racing)

Mercedes have confirmed they are keeping tabs
on Paul di Resta amid mounting speculation that the Scot is being lined
up to replace Michael Schumacher.


Although the Force India driver has been recently linked with
Ferrari as a replacement for the faltering Felipe Massa, Di Resta has a
longstanding association with Mercedes and appears to be at the front of
the queue if, as is widely expected, Schumacher retires - for a second
time - from F1 at the end of the season.

"Of course Paul's on our radar," Nick Fry, Mercedes' Chief Executive
Officer confirmed to Sky Sports News. "He's done a fantastic job, he's a
nice guy, he's great team player and he would be one of the drivers
undoubtedly that, if Michael were to decide he didn't want to continue,
we would look at. But we haven't reached that time yet in our thinking
but we have all got a lot of admiration for Paul."
Fry's willingness to go public with the
team's interest would certainly suggest that he would enter any
negotiations with the team in a relatively strong bargaining position.

Conversely, Schumacher's position seems to be weakening by the week.
The veteran has scored just two points this term compared to Nico
Rosberg's haul of 41 and will start off this weekend's race in Monaco
handicapped by a five-place grid demotion. While careful not to write
off the seven-times World Champion, Fry's assessment of Schumacher's
current predicament was notably lukewarm.

"I am sure if we get to the end of this year and it is continues as
it has done for the last few races I think he will probably be asking
himself that question. There is time to go and we are not making any
decisions yet."