Paul Di Resta faces Formula One’s next double header in an upbeat mood despite the misery suffered in Malaysia recently.

Following a promising start in the opening grand prix in Australia where Di Resta and team-mate Adrian Sutil finished eighth and seventh respectively, the wheels almost came off – quite literally – a week later in Sepang.

Problems with Force India’s new captive wheel-nut system forced both Di Resta and Sutil to retire when another double points finish was potentially on the cards.

Ahead of the upcoming grands prix in China and Bahrain, Di Resta sees no reason why the Silverstone-based team cannot again force their way into the top 10 in qualifying and then press the frontrunners in both races.

“The next two races can’t really come quick enough,” said Di Resta, speaking to Press Association Sport.

“Despite what happened in Malaysia we took very good positives from the weekend through our performance, so I’m looking forward to China and Bahrain.

“I’d like to think we’d have some more knowledge on our car to make it quicker, although China is a different philosophy compared to what we have experienced so far this season.

“But we had a good car there two years ago, and there is no reason why we can’t go there and repeat that.

“As for Bahrain, that is probably one of the strongest grands prix we had last year, and with the climate similar there as to Malaysia with the heat, I’m confident.”

Although the team failed to collect any points in Malaysia, what has so far been proven is that Force India are quite comfortably top-10 material.

That has been due in part to McLaren’s early-season malaise with a car woefully off the pace, although there were signs in Malaysia some of its faults were being corrected.

Di Resta would like to think Force India will again have their noses in front of the McLarens at the next two races.

“We’ve proven where we are at the moment, but whether we will be in that position after the next two will be hard,” added Di Resta.

“I’ve a lot of respect for what McLaren do. Although they are struggling at the moment, they can develop.

“But we will be pushing to stay in front of them. Our performance so far has been far better than people expected, far better than people could probably overhaul in two weeks.”