Di Resta a potential F1 reserve option for McLaren in 2021

McLaren has revealed ex-Force India driver Paul di Resta is part of the team’s reserve pool for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

McLaren currently has an agreement with Mercedes to share its reserve drivers should either Lando Norris or Daniel Ricciardo be unable to drive.

Mercedes has its Formula E drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries as potential reserve options for this season.

Should Vandoorne or de Vries be unable to deputise, di Resta is a potential option for the Woking-based outfit.

The Scot hasn’t participated in an F1 weekend since 2017, where he replaced Felipe Massa at Williams for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Di Resta has since been a regular pundit for Sky Sports F1, while also racing in sportscars.

He was also on standby for Racing Point at last year's 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Speaking at Imola, McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl said: “My focus is on this agreement we have with Mercedes. We have a good relationship also with Paul di Resta, who is also in possession of a super licence, so we have an agreement with him as well in order to jump in if the requirement is there.

“So we are prepared for different scenarios.”

Aston Martin confirmed Nico Hulkenberg would be the team’s reserve driver for 2021.

When asked if Hulkenberg was an option for McLaren, Seidl added: “Again, in the end, we are depending on Mercedes. We have to follow what Mercedes is putting in place for the different weekends. But our main focus is clearly on Stoffel and Nyck.”