As Lewis Hamilton continues to wow Formula 1 fans and pundits alike with a string of incredible performances in his debut season, the strength of Paul di Resta, another young British driver - and the Mercedes technology pushing his performance - is beginning to similarly turn heads.

Like Hamilton, 21-year-old Scot di Resta has graduated from the Formula 3 Euro series and, driving a 2005-spec Mercedes-Benz C-Class, now leads the DTM Championship.

Now three races in, di Resta sits eight points clear of a three-way tie for second place after securing a fifth place finish in his debut DTM race at Hockenheim before leading his C-Class Mercedes to two consecutive second-place finishes.

"For me, Paul currently does in DTM what Lewis Hamilton does in Formula 1," said Mercedes-Benz Motorsport director Norbert Haug.

"Just like Lewis he is a newcomer and currently holds the championship lead," added Mr Naug.

And like Hamilton, di Resta, who won last year’s Euro series, is trying to keep his feet on the ground: "I have to admit that I’d never expected to travel to my home race, held at Brands Hatch, as championship leader."

The DTM series hits Brands Hatch on June 10th, with di Resta looking to drive his Mercedes C-Class to further phenomenal success.

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