Sutil eyes 2010 switch to 'works team'

Staying at Force India is an option but Adrian Sutil is also eyeing the next step to a works Formula One team.

Since he arrived in Formula One first with Spyker and then the Silverstone based team's current guise, the German has seen the outfit as a stepping stone to a more competitive future on the grid.

However, Force India stunned the sport with its recent performances at Spa and Monza, which even made Giancarlo Fisichella's switch to Ferrari seem illogical.

Team bosses have mused recently that they are seeking to keep the current lineup of Sutil, 26, alongside Vitantonio Liuzzi, static going into next season.

But when asked by the German news agency DPA about his plans for 2010, Sutil answered: "We are going to talk first with Force India.

"My medium term goal is to change into a works team and therefore make the next step."

However, he also acknowledged the advantage of staying put, especially when for the foreseeable future he can expect to be seen as Force India's top charger.

"After Giancarlo's change I will surely take more and more of a leading role," said Sutil.