Mercedes: Paul di Resta could replace Schumacher in 2013

Paul di Resta is a contender for a Mercedes seat if Michael Schumacher does not continue in Formula 1 next year, team CEO Nick Fry has confirmed.

di Resta is racing for Force India this season

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Fry insisted that no decision had been taken on Schumacher's future but said the Force India driver is an obvious candidate.

"Paul's on our radar," Fry said. "He has done a fantastic job, he's a nice guy, he's a great team player and he would be one of the drivers undoubtedly that, if Michael were to decide he didn't want to continue, we would look at.

"We haven't reached that time in our thinking yet, but we have all got a lot of admiration for Paul."

Former McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award winner di Resta has a long-term association with Mercedes. He won the F3 Euro Series title in 2006 with Mercedes and went on to win the DTM with the marque in 2010.