The Scot had been touted as a possible replacement for Massa, but recent contract developments have left Di Resta with few options for 2013. He had also been linked with Mercedes before they signed Lewis Hamilton and with McLaren before they brought in Mexican Sergio Perez.

Vijay Mallya, the Force India team principal, wants to hold on to his current drivers, and Nico Hulkenberg's rumoured move to Sauber will make him doubly determined to keep Di Resta.

"We don't expect any changes and we would like it to be business as usual, because we have two brilliant drivers," confirmed Mallya's deputy, Robert Fernley.