Force India driver Paul Di Resta believes that his team can finish on the podium this season.

Sauber's Sergio Perez caused a shock as he raced from ninth on the grid to finish second at the Malaysian Grand Prix, and Di Resta is adamant that other midfield runners such as Force India can take heart from Sauber's podium success.

"I don't think you can rule that out," said Di Resta, when asked if his team can get on the podium this season. "You have to be ready for that, should that happen. It's going to be a massive task and a difficult one.

"You want it to happen, you go and prepare yourself for the weekend, if you can. We only saw this weekend what Sauber achieved, and Perez [achieved].

"We have to believe that it can happen to us, if every circumstance goes the right way."

Di Resta began the season finishing 15th in Australia before taking seventh place in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.