Germany's Nico Hulkenberg has revealed he rejected the chance to move to Lotus for the remaining races of the 2013 season because it was "too risky."
Hulkenberg's future at Sauber is unclear and he has been heavily linked with a move to Lotus for next season, but he admitted switching to the team now could have had a negative impact on getting a seat in the future.
Lotus opted for Heikki Kovalainen to replace fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who is having back surgery. Kovalainen will partner Romain Grosjean at the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix races.
Hulkenberg confimred he had met team principal Eric Boullier to discuss various options, and explained the reasons behind his decision to remain at Sauber.
"It sounded attractive from the outside," he said.
"But it's for the last two races, which brings also some risk with it, and you have to see the bigger picture beyond those two races, and see what can happen then.
"Stepping into a new car which you don't know (is risky), and that's why we came up with his decision.
"I went there to speak to Eric face to face about these two races and beyond that as well, because next year is important as well."
Hulkenberg has eight points finishes in the current campaign, and sits 11th in the drivers' standings with 39 points.