Di Resta still angry, but Heidfeld remains calm

BUDAPEST, July 28, 2011 (AFP) - British driver Paul Di Resta made it clear on Thursday that he has not forgiven German Nick Heidfeld and is still annoyed with him - five days after their collision at last Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Rookie Di Resta, of Force India, said the crash was Heidfeld's fault and he was disappointed that the veteran German driver had not had the courtesy to apologise to him. "Yeah (I am disappointed) because it was pretty blatant," he said. "I lost more out of it than he did. He was the one that committed the crime. "You've got to apologise when you make a mistake, haven't you? It's only right you do it, but whether they accept it or not is another thing. At least make the effort."

The pair collided on the opening lap of last Sunday's race at the Nurburgring where Renault driver Heidfeld said he did not feel the incident was his fault. The crash was not their first this year and reignited a feud between them.

Heidfeld, who is to be replaced during Friday morning's practice this weekend by Brazilian Bruno Senna, nephew of three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, said he also blamed the Scot for their collision in Canada in June.

"In Canada people thought he crashed into the back of my car, and rather than apologise, he blamed me," said Heidfeld. "So why should I go and apologise? This time, in Germany, I locked up the front, he turned in front of me, I couldn't do anything any more and the stewards decided to give me a penalty. You have to live with that.

"It was a racing incident. I'm okay with them penalising me." Heidfeld added that despite these incidents he believes he has done enough this season to convince Formula One teams that he deserves a seat next year.

Drafted in as a late replacement at Renault for injured Pole Robert Kubica, he scored a podium finish in the second race of the season, but has not been able to shine as brightly again since.

"I'm happy with where I am with the team. I think we all get on well," said Heidfeld on Thursday. "Bruno (Senna) gets the chance to drive here, and I think Eric (Boullier, team chief) said Romain Grosjean is doing a good job in GP2, but that doesn't mean that he's going to take my seat.

"I don't think it has been a perfect season so far but I think it's been good and certainly good enough to fight for a seat next year. I will obviously keep on pushing and try to do my best and then we'll see what happens."