Heidfeld Happy at Sauber Despite Other Offers

Sauber's Nick Heidfeld has revealed that he had offers to drive for other teams in 2003, but said he was happy to stay with the Swiss squad for a third consecutive season.

The 26-year old German extended his deal with Hinwill-based Sauber for 2003 and will be partnered by compatriot Heinz-Harald Frentzen, but he revealed he was also offered drives elsewhere on the grid.

But the former Prost driver said that the offers were not with potential Championship-winning teams and therefore made Sauber, who had an option on him, the natural choice for next year.

"I am quite happy here," Heidfeld told Autosport. "Obviously I would like to be in a top team and be in a position to win the world championship, but Sauber is a good place for me to be at the moment. I think I had a lot of opportunities with other teams, but possibly not a big one.

"It was simply Peter Sauber had an option on me, which he has taken. It was obvious he was going to take it, so I don't feel overlooked."

Heidfeld endured a nightmare first year in Formula One with Prost in 2000 but has been a revelation with Sauber for the past two seasons.