PAUL DI RESTA is confident of building on a positive start to the Formula One season as he tries to enhance his reputation.
From the opening six grands prix of the year, the Scot has collected 21 points – that's in stark contrast to his 2011 debut campaign with Force India when he amassed 27 overall.
Despite his results, it is evident the Silverstone-based marque's car is not as strong as in the second half of last year.
Clever strategy, however, has propelled Di Resta into the top 10, notably finishing sixth in Bahrain in April and seventh in Monaco 11 days ago and Malaysia in March.
With his confidence building as he gains experience ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, Di Resta said: "We've carried on where we left off last year, fighting for points everywhere.
"The teams around us are strong, but we've shown that we are consistent and can take on teams like Lotus, Williams and Sauber, who are all looking competitive.
"In terms of points scored, we are well ahead of where we were this time last year, so we can take a lot of positives from that.
"I believe we can keep picking up points and be even stronger in the second half of the year."
Monaco was particularly pleasing as Di Resta started 14th, four places behind team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, yet finished ahead of the German come the conclusion to the 78 laps.
Di Resta, linked to Ferrari and Mercedes for next year, added: "It was another weekend where we maximised things as a team.
"Considering the issues I had in qualifying, I felt much happier with the balance during the race and we made the strategy work.
"It was a tough race, managing the tyres and keeping concentration, but as a team performance we can be very happy with what we achieved."