Paul di Resta will sit out driving duties for Force India at this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix because the team wants to evaluate new car developments with its race drivers.
The Scotsman had been scheduled to take part in FP1 at most venues this year, but the introduction of new parts – including front wing and tweaked wing mirrors – has left the team preferring to use regulars Vitantonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil in Istanbul.
"It was a late call from the team but I completely understand their decision as there are some new upgrades coming through this race that really need the drivers' and the team's attention," di Resta said. "I'll still be there in the garage, trying to learn as much as I can as the developments are pretty exciting. I've still done all the groundwork, going in the simulator for some running as I've never driven Istanbul Park before.
"It's a pretty busy time of the year for me as well with the DTM race in Valencia between Monaco and Turkey. But it's keeping me sharp and focused on racing, which is the best possible situation for me right now."
Sutil is encouraged by the fact that Force India is able to match the bigger teams' ability to bring updates to each race as it seeks more points this time out.
"In Turkey we have some new developments we are aiming to test and then introduce for the race, including changes to the front wing and to the mirrors to optimize the position used for the first time in China," he said. "We've seen in previous races that the top teams aren't going for major upgrade packages, they are drip feeding improvements, and that's why it's so important to keep these steps coming through. I'm feeling very positive about this race."