Gutierrez opted to end Sauber talks

Editor

Esteban Gutierrez has revealed that it was his decision to end negotiations with Sauber as it was not a “good direction” for his career.

After two seasons with Sauber and just six points – all of which he scored at the 2013 Japanese GP – Gutierrez is bidding farewell to the team.

Sauber announced earlier this month that Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr would make up its 2015 driver line-up.

That has left Gutierrez without a place on next season’s grid, although the Mexican racer insists it was his choice to bring an end to the talks.

“The negotiations didn’t go in the way that I felt was a good direction for my career,” he told Crash.net. “So it got decided not to go forward with the negotiation, to change and to take a risky path.

“[The decision] was mine not to push.

“I could comply with the things that they were asking for but it was just not my feeling here and anymore in the terms that they were offering, so I didn’t push it forward.”

He is, however, hopeful that he will continue in Formula 1, admitting that a test driver role is his most likely path.

He added: “We have different options but it’s things that are not yet guaranteed. I’m still working on them.

“I have two or three options here so I’m in a position where now I need to very soon choose a direction where I want to go.

“I’m looking to be a reserve or test driver in a good team, in a top team with a plan for the future.”