Mar.6 (GMM) Winter speculation that he was a contender to switch to a more competitive team was right, Force India driver Adrian Sutil has confirmed.

The 25-year-old German driver told the SID news agency that, following an impressive rookie season in 2007, his management entered talks with McLaren and Williams about this year.

After both British teams selected other drivers for 2008, however, Sutil insists that he is simply happy to have impressed some of the right observers with his performances last year.

"I am not sure that disappointed is the right word," he said, on the verge of another season at the rear of the grid with the Silverstone based team.

"All winter I was content that I had a solid contract with Force India. When we signed the contract, it was always planned that we would be here longer than one year."

Sutil says he was pleased when paddock gossip singled him out as a possible replacement for Fernando Alonso at McLaren, and Alex Wurz at Williams.

"Of course it was good when, after only one year (in F1), my name is being associated with McLaren and Williams," he said.

"We certainly looked at what we could do, and of course it is a dream to move to a top team. Talks did take place," Sutil said.

"Let's see what the future brings."

Sutil insists, however, that despite the takeover of Spyker by Vijay Mallya and a bigger budget, Force India in 2008 can only realistically expect to begin the new season "where we ended last year".

He says he will be open to offers for 2009.

"My goal is to be with a competitive team as quickly as possible.

"It is also important to wait and see what can happen with this team in the next few years. Perhaps we will get some success," Sutil added.