Sauber yesterday confirmed signing of Hulkenberg for the 2013 season.
"I was surprised that Nico left this team, to be fair, for an immediate competitor. I don't see it as being a step up, to be perfectly honest. I see it as an equal kind of status," the Scot, who has been with the Indian team since 2010, said
Paul said staying at the Force India would have been a better option for his teammate.
"Long term where you see this team is going, I think it is probably better [at Force India]."
Sauber are currently placed sixth in the teams' standings with 116 points while Force India have 93.
"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. It may be different. Next year may be different, and I don't know the full reasons why Nico has gone there," Paul said.
"There is progression, and the way this team is structured and going forward, I am content where I am," he added.
