'Briatore was my executioner', says Piquet
Piquet claims that Briatore would 'threaten' him before qualifying
Also In The News
|
Australia rallied to 88-2, a mere 25 runs behind, but England put themselves in a strong position going into the final day of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. |  |
Monday, 03, Aug 2009 04:14
By Adam Leveridge
Nelson Piquet has lost his drive with the Renault formula one team, with current GP2 Series leader Romain Grosjean expected to replace him from the European grand prix onwards.
Piquet's seat at Renault came into question after he failed to meet a performance clause in his contract, which kicked in at the Nurburgring.
But it was a spat between Renault team principle Flavio Briatore and the Brazilian following the Hungarian grand prix that finally brought the Brazilian's career to an end.
In a strong statement, Piquet hit back at Renault, expressing his disappointment and relief at being dropped by the team.
"I have received notice from the Renault F1 team of its intention to stop me from driving for them in the current F1 season. I want to say thanks to the small group who supported me and that I worked together at Renault F1, although it is obviously with great disappointment that I receive such news," said Piquet.
"But, at the same time, I feel a sense of relief for the end of the worst period of my career, and the possibility that I can now move on and put my career back on the right track and try to recover my reputation of a fast, winning driver.
"I am a team player and there are dozens of people I have worked with in my career who would vouch for my character and talent, except unfortunately the person that has had the most influence on my career in Formula 1," he added.
The Brazilian said that his problems started when he began working with Briatore.
"The path to F1 was always going to be tricky, and my father and I therefore signed a management contract with Flavio Briatore, who we believed was an excellent option with all the necessary contacts and management skills," said Piquet.
"Unfortunately, that was when the black period of my career started.
"As a beginner in F1, I could only expect from my team a lot of support and preparation to help me in getting up to the task. Instead, I was relegated as someone who drives the other car with no attention at all.
"In addition, on numerous occasions, fifteen minutes before qualifying and races, my manager and team boss (Briatore) would threaten me, telling me if I didn't get a good result, he had another driver ready to put in my place.
"I have never needed threats before," he added.
And, according to Piquet, his problems continued this season.
"In 2009 he made me sign a performance-based contract, requiring me to score 40 per cent of Fernando Alonso's points by mid-way through the season.
"Despite driving with Fernando, two-time world champion and a really excellent driver, I was confident that, if I had the same conditions, I would easily attain the 40 per cent of points required by the contract.
"Unfortunately, the promises didn't turn into reality again.
"I always believed that having a manager was being a part of a team and having a partner. A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. In my case it was the opposite. Flavio Briatore was my executioner."
Piquet is looking to continue his F1 career 'in a fair and positive way' next season, but he has not yet considered his options.
At Renault, the team's two test drivers, Grosjean and Lucas do Grassi, will step in to Piquet's seat as of the European grand prix.
Renault have yet to release a statement confirming this.