Di Resta anguish for Wheldon's kids

GREATER NOIDA, India, Oct 27, 2011 (AFP) - Formula One star Paul di Resta Thursday said the thought of Dan Wheldon's bereaved children "hurts everybody more than anything" after the IndyCar driver's tragic death.

Di Resta said his personal anguish at the loss of his good friend in a fiery crash was nothing compared to the plight of the 33-year-old Englishman's widow, Susie, and two infant boys.

"Dan was a very close friend, he's a fellow countryman as well, been successful," Force India's di Resta told journalists ahead of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.

"But I think like anyone the biggest thing you look at Dan for is the family, his two kids and his wife, and them growing up without their father.

"I think that's the bit that hurts everybody more than anything."

The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner died in a multi-car pile-up in Las Vegas on October 16, a week before MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli was also killed mid-race in Malaysia.

Di Resta added that he was not sure if four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, a fellow Scot, would quit in the wake of Wheldon's death, after admitting he had considered his future in the sport.

"I think only time will tell what he ultimately does but he's been the champion the last four times he's tried to do an IndyCar series so whatever his decision is everybody will support that," di Resta said.

"If he wants to continue, we'll support that as well."