Jan.17 (GMM) Jarno Trulli has admitted he flirted with a switch to Sauber in 2010 before deciding to join the new Lotus team.

"I had contact with Peter Sauber, that's true," the Italian told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

Trulli, 35, spent the last five full seasons with the now-departed Toyota, and tested a NASCAR Sprint Cup car recently before signing with Lotus for 2010.

But the veteran of almost 220 grands prix admits going to Sauber next year would have been a "very interesting thing".

"He (Sauber) is quite unlike any other in this circus. Peter Sauber is clean and honest. But with the departure of BMW it will be harder for his team than before," said Trulli.

The wine-maker said the new Lotus project, by contrast, is "exciting", with "great ambitions and a lot of power behind it, also financially".

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