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Paul di Resta is set to graduate to Formula 1 as a race driver for Force India next season, today's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals

The Scot, currently racing in the DTM, has impressed the team with his performances during his Friday practice outings this season after being recruited with the long-term aim of grooming him as an F1 race driver.

Although the Force India has yet to finalise its driver line-up for 2011, with question marks over both Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi, AUTOSPORT understands that the intention is to promote di Resta.

Which seat he will take depends largely on whether Sutil remains with the team or moves on next season.

The team is believed to want to retain Sutil for a fifth season, but the German is still considering his options, with a switch to Renault on the cards.

Sutil said he is hoping for a decision very soon.

"It was quiet in the last week. But I want a decision very soon so hopefully after Singapore, or closer to Japan, I will have some news. There were no further discussions."

And the German reckons he is prepared to drive for a bigger team is the opportunity arrives.

"I think I'm ready. A driver is always ready for a good car, you could say, but I have a good car here. I want to make sure that I find a really much better team than Force India if I move and that's hard to find.

"There are a lot of positive aspects in this team - that's why it was the first team that I talked to to ask about my future as well. It would have to be something really interesting for me to change."

For the full story, buy this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.