Hulkenberg 'wrong to leave' - Di Resta

ABU DHABI, Nov 1, 2012 (AFP) - Briton Paul di Resta said on Thursday that German driver Nico Hulkenberg was wrong to leave Force India and join Sauber next year -- and may even have been better off staying put.

Hulkenberg, 25, was on Wednesday confirmed as a Sauber driver for the 2013 season but his Force India team-mate di Resta told reporters he could not see how the move would help.

"I was surprised that Nico left this team, to be fair, for an immediate competitor," said di Resta in Abu Dhabi ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix. "I don't see it as being a step up, to be perfectly honest.

"I see it as an equal kind of status. Long term where you see this team is going, I think it is probably better."

Swiss outfit Sauber is currently ahead of Force India in the standings this season but di Resta said Force India had been more consistent in its performances over past seasons.

"They (Sauber) have had a couple of remarkable results and I am not going to deny that. But in terms of consistency, we have got a lot. Next year may be different and I don't know the full reasons why Nico has gone there."

Di Resta admitted recently that he was disappointed he had received no offers to move to a leading outfit but he said he was happy to stay at Force India.

"There is progression," he added. "And the way this team is structured and going forward, I am content where I am."