Robert Kubica has revealed he turned down an offer to return to premier circuit racing in 2013.
The Pole, preparing for his first event of 2013 as he gears up to contest the second-tier world rally championship this season, tested Mercedes’ DTM car over the winter.
It was expected that a DTM race seat for the former Renault and BMW driver, seriously injured in an early 2011 rally crash, could pave the way for a return to F1 for the highly rated and popular 28-year-old.
He told Spain’s AS sports newspaper: "I had an offer to race in DTM, but I chose rally even though it’s a hundred times more difficult.
"I made the decision late because I wanted it to be right and, hopefully, later this year I will be happy with my choice.
"DTM is a very difficult championship, with a very high level, and maybe for me it would have been easier to race on circuits, as it’s what I know."
When asked if he has therefore shelved his F1 dream for now, Kubica agreed: "I don’t think much about formula one.
"Definitely the easiest choice would have been to do the DTM. But today my limitations mean I cannot drive formula one on some of the most physically demanding circuits.
"I also have limitations to do the rallies and so I will work hard this year and if I can overcome my limitations, I’ll have time to think about returning to formula one," he added.