Robert Kubica has revealed that he held talks with Ferrari about taking its vacant race seat for the rest of the season.
Ferrari ultimately opted to recruit Giancarlo Fisichella from Force India after Luca Badoer's disappointing performances in Valencia and at Spa.
Kubica says he was also a contender but decided getting used to a new car mid-season without testing would be impractical.
"There was some contact and I was in the interests of Ferrari, but it's not so easy to change team in the middle of the year," said the Pole.
"But I think we will have a competitive car here with BMW so I am happy to be where I am."
After a difficult first half of the season, BMW Sauber has had an upturn in form in recent races, with Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finishing fourth and fifth in the last event at Spa.