Nico Hulkenberg: Leaving Force India for Sauber was tough choice

Nico Hulkenberg admits it was not an easy decision to leave Force India to join rival Sauber for the 2013 Formula 1 season

The Hinwil squad confirmed on Wednesday that the 25-year-old German will join its line-up after two years with Force India, the first as a reserve driver.

Sauber is enjoying its strongest season to date, having been on the podium four times in 17 races, while Force India is yet to finish in the top three this year.

The Silverstone-based outfit has, however, outscored Sauber since the summer break, scoring 47 points to the Swiss team's 36.

"It wasn't an easy decision, first of all," Hulkenberg told reporters in Abu Dhabi. "I think Sauber made a good development the last couple of years, especially this year.

"They have been very strong this year for podiums, missed the win by a very narrow margin only, so that is why. Otherwise I would not have made the decision if I thought it wasn't the right one.

"Obviously Sauber has a good car this year and hopefully it has a good car next year where we can fight for good positions."

Force India is still aiming to beat Sauber in the constructors' championship, where it trails its rival by 23 points.

Hulkenberg says that as long as he is a Force India driver he will have no qualms in giving it all to beat his future team.

"It is not different to before, to be honest," he added. "I am fully committed to Force India, we have three more races to go. And I look forward to the new challenge, the new contract but also I look forward to doing the last few races here. I am fully motivated and will give everything."

The German, who has linked with Felipe Massa's seat at Ferrari before the Brazilian got a contract extension, denied that he had any links to the Italian squad as part of the deal with Sauber, which uses Ferrari engines.

He admitted, however, that he had discussion with the Maranello team.

"There were talks and there was some contact," he said.