Becoming Pirelli’s test driver was "not an option" for Adrian Sutil, the out-of-work F1 driver has admitted.
"Right now I’m waiting," the former Force India driver told Eurosport Deutschland.
German Sutil, 29, was an established F1 driver until 2011, when he became embroiled in a legal battle with Lotus team executive Eric Lux over an assault.
He has been left without a seat for 2012, causing many to wonder why he - and not the less experienced Jaime Alguersuari - was not selected to test with F1’s official tyre supplier Pirelli.
"A collaboration with Pirelli didn’t work out, but I was never in contact with them directly," Sutil said. "It wasn’t an option."
He also didn’t find a test or reserve seat with a team.
"The fact that there is hardly any testing, of course, is not very helpful," Sutil insisted.
He has been linked with struggling Felipe Massa’s Ferrari seat.
"I do have to hope," admitted Sutil, "that either some drivers don’t do well, or a cockpit becomes available. That is my chance.
"That drivers are changed is just a part of formula one," added Sutil.
"My plan is to wait and see if there is a possibility. If not, then of course you have to give serious thought about what to do in the future — in 2013."