Timo Glock and Adrian Sutil had hoped to secure the second race seat at Sauber for 2011, according to a Swiss newspaper.
The Blick daily said the German duo, who currently drive for Virgin and Force India respectively, were in the running to be Kamui Kobayashi’s teammate until the Hinwil based team signed well-backed Mexican rookie Sergio Perez.
"Several times," wrote veteran correspondent Roger Benoit from Suzuka, "they or their managers have appeared in Hinwil - in vain."
Also hoping for the Sauber seat was its current occupant Nick Heidfeld, who according to Blick must now consider a 2011 switch to Force India, Lotus, Virgin or HRT.