Scot Paul di Resta given Formula 1 seat

Di Resta, cousin of two-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, said: "Naturally I am thrilled to be making my race debut this season.

"Becoming an F1 driver has been a long-held ambition of mine, something I've wanted to do since I first stepped into a kart, and to finally realise it feels amazing.

"I've worked really hard for this opportunity throughout my career and to get it with Force India, a young team that has ambitions as big as mine, is genuinely exciting.

"I can't wait to be on the grid in Bahrain (for the opening grand prix of the season on March 13). It can't come soon enough."

Vitantonio Liuzzi, who joined the team in 2009, has been ousted to make way for the Scot.

Team owner said that di Resta's addition made the team one of the strongest on the grid.

"Adrian has matured into one of F1's most consistent and highly-rated young drivers, while Paul is, I believe, a real star of the future", he said.

"He has won in every category in his career, and this base speed was in evidence when he got in the car on Fridays last year."

He continued: "Together I think they are a formidable partnership and will help take us to the next level of performance."

Sutil, who enjoyed his most successful season in F1 last year with nine points-scoring finishes, will embark on his fifth consecutive year with the team.