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by **LukeB** » 29 Mar 2009, 12:33

The start of the season, always a good time to make predictions/wild guesses.

God knows how he managed to keep his seat in the first place, maybe he has pictures of someone in a compromising situation (I don't suppose he has any of Mosley we haven't already had the misfortune of being exposed to, maybe Briatore and/or Bernie :shock:

) but how long will he keep it? If he's still got a race drive in F1 by Hungary I'll eat my proverbial hat.

by **Cynon** » 29 Mar 2009, 12:51

He'll last the entire season, but that's because Fernando Alonso needs a weak teammate that will troddle along in the back in order to make himself look better than he really is. A reject in disguise if I ever saw one, doesn't deserve his seat, but will probably keep it. Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi are far more deserving of the #8 car at Renault.

by **Yannick** » 30 Mar 2009, 05:11

Briatore seems to believe in the talent of Nelsinho. Yes, he showed that he's got what it takes to drive a racing car at several points during the last season, which were positive surprises (Hockenheim, Magny-Cours, Fuji). But "Team Briatore" has always disregarded the driver in the 2nd car as some kind of a B-driver who didn't get access to the data gained by the A-driver. It is no surprise that Nelsinho as a rookie was struggling in that kind of climate last year.
Still, with his biggest flaw being the rather long amount of time it takes him to get comfortable at and adapt to a new circuit, maybe F1 isn't the best series for him. I dare saying that he would have a bright future ahead of him in NASCAR, or if he doesn't find a drive there, maybe Brazilian stock cars?
Still, it is to his benefit that he fits in well with the team.
Renault really have a problem of not enough driving talent in their ranks. After Alonso left, they upgraded Kovalainen, only to lose him to McLaren in exchange for getting back Alonso. So they upped Nelsinho to the 2nd race seat. But they didn't hire an experienced guy as a test driver, and still haven't. Do Briatore and Franck Montagny not get along anymore, or why hasn't he been called in again to help out last year? And why was Sakon Yamamoto only allowed to do straight line testing?
Renault must stick with Nelsinho throughout the year if they don't want to let another rookie into their car.

by **BlindCaveSalamander** » 30 Mar 2009, 07:23

Yannick wrote:Renault must stick with Nelsinho throughout the year if they don't want to let another rookie into their car.

I think that's quite a good point, actually. I was going to say that I would be absoultely gobsmacked if Piquet lasted past half-way through the season, but I think more driver instability at Renault, especially in their second car, would not really help matters. Renault really needs to figure out who in their driver program would be best alongside Alonso, otherwise they won't be leading the pack again for a long while.

by **Alexander** » 30 Mar 2009, 07:58

I think Nelson will be sacked about halfway through the season, to be replaced by Di Grassi. He won't be a threat to Alonso, especially not in his first ten races. And if the Renault doesn't improve big time, Alonso will be gone for 2010, so Renault may want to give a somewhat talented youngster some track time.

by **Pedro** » 30 Mar 2009, 08:00

Yannick wrote:And why was Sakon Yamamoto only allowed to do straight line testing?

Because his head would fly off in fast corners! :lol:

by **wombat** » 30 Mar 2009, 14:02

How long he survives will depend on how well he can crash and get Alonso into the lead. One or two successful safety car periods and he will retain his seat

by **Robbie** » 30 Mar 2009, 15:52

I would consider Nelsinho's biggest flaw to be his arrogance. Throughout GP2 in 2006, he in general just seemed to be TRYING to tick me off.

And I must take exception to Cynon; I believe that Piquet is at Renault for the sole purpose of preventing an Alonsoplosion like at McLaren in '07. If Alonso has such a horrendous driver for a teammate(or seat filler, as I prefer to refer to Piquet), he can't complain and can't take Flav's star away again.

by **RejectSteve** » 30 Mar 2009, 16:03

Robbie wrote:I would consider Nelsinho's biggest flaw to be his arrogance. Throughout GP2 in 2006, he in general just seemed to be TRYING to tick me off.

And I must take exception to Cynon; I believe that Piquet is at Renault for the sole purpose of preventing an Alonsoplosion like at McLaren in '07. If Alonso has such a horrendous driver for a teammate(or seat filler, as I prefer to refer to Piquet), he can't complain and can't take Flav's star away again.

I agree with both points. Cynon is right about di Grassi providing much better ability in the second Renault. What di Grassi did last year in GP2 was the stuff that earns a GP seat.

Piquet will last the season for the reasons outlined by Cynon and Robbie. His retirement at Albert Park, despite a full season under his belt, was pure inexperience

by **SennaStraight** » 30 Mar 2009, 17:41

The fact that daddy Piquet was there there this weekend told me that Piquet was under pressure from Renault and after a poor race, if Piquet doesn't step up his game, Renault could easily replace him very soon into the season, depending on what his contract says.

by **danardif1** » 30 Mar 2009, 21:52

I thought his retirement and subsequent excuse was a major case of idiocy of his part. Of course he was having issues with his brakes... He had just come out of a safety car period, and his spin was entirely his own fault, you could see Nico getting out of the way (probably just to be careful as it was Nelsinho, and also his brakes weren't up to temp either!!) and then Piquet just dumps it.

He had better get some results soon, even if they are just finishes nevermind points, or else I can see Flavio ramming the sword of Damacles that is hanging over Nelson's head right into his stupid brain!!

One more thing to show up how poor his retirement was... Kazuki 'Crashajima''s accident was not his fault and was clearly a surprise to him and to us watching as he was running really well, but Piquet's was even more inevitable than that! That's how low my estimation of him at the moment is!

by **ZBF1** » 30 Mar 2009, 22:13

he will last till europe then be replaced by Ayrton Senna eh no sorry i mean Bruno Senna, its just everyone thinks he will continue the Ayrton legacy :lol:

piquet showed all last season he was pish and hes shown it again yesterday

by **Nin13** » 31 Mar 2009, 00:21

Answering to the point, Piquet Jr. will last as long as he can give Renault some sponsorers and $$$$$$$. If he can get that Renault will keep him, as you know ING are withdrawing at end of this season!!!!!!!!!

by **KSvt** » 31 Mar 2009, 05:08

I hope he lasts the season, because every GP grid needs an overconfident, undercompetent driver for laughs (e.g., Eddie Irvine).

by **Pedro** » 31 Mar 2009, 05:26

KSvt: Agreed! Piquet is filling Ralf Schumacher's shoes.

by **AndreaModa** » 31 Mar 2009, 05:29

KSvt wrote:I hope he lasts the season, because every GP grid needs an overconfident, undercompetent driver for laughs (e.g., Eddie Irvine).

haha that made me chuckle :lol:

lets all face it, pretty much no-one expected him to be on the grid yet he is...

during qualifying it was he and the torro rosso's and force india's that went out of Q1...

he clearly isn't up to the job, he's only racing because his dad's made millions selling sat navs and has probably thrown some of that money at Briatore, that and the fact that his name also happens to be quite famous, much like a certain Bruno Senna...

i think he'll last the season though, although Bernie says that there will be 26 cars on the grid in 2010 so we might get a desperate outfit looking for someone with an inkling of F1 experience that might pick him up! I hope he hangs about just so that we can laugh at someone every weekend!!

by **KSvt** » 31 Mar 2009, 05:43

You're right, Ralf is a better comparison for Nelsinho than Irvine!

by **jonnyeol** » 31 Mar 2009, 08:06

Flavio is more than happy to get shot of any driver that falls out of favour. He did it to JJ Lehto, he did it to Jarno Trulli and nearly did it to Johnny Herbert before his British GP win.

The comment that Alonso doesn't want another competitive teammate is a touch dated. The likes of Senna in the mid-80s Lotus Team could get away with it, when he managed to get Johnny Dumfries as a teammate instead of Derek Warwick. This was in a team where, in the words of Clive James 'even the portaloo was set up for Senna'.

Nowadays, teams can't do that. Too much TV money rides on Constructor Championship standings. They need two contributing drivers. Whilst sponsorship or backing from manufacturers can help sign contracts (Nakajima for Williams), the days of the out-and-out pay-driver have largely gone.

by **Revelo** » 31 Mar 2009, 11:28

I agree that Piquet will see out the season. if only to keep Alonso's ego inflated. I think thats where Piquet has stumbled to, by being put with Fernando and since it was at Renault everyone expected him to deliver results fast, but even so his still not good enough for F1.

by **BB01** » 31 Mar 2009, 11:40

Pedro wrote:
Yannick wrote:And why was Sakon Yamamoto only allowed to do straight line testing?

Because his head would fly off in fast corners!

I think that every time i hear his name mentioned :lol:

I suspect the marketing boost that the son of a former champion gives a team is probably the big reason he held his seat this year. That said, if they are planning to ditch him for a rookie for next year, i see no point in keeping him past about race 12 of the season. They may as well stick their new guy in for a few races to get acclimatised.

by **Revelo** » 31 Mar 2009, 11:42

BB01 wrote:
Pedro wrote:
Yannick wrote:And why was Sakon Yamamoto only allowed to do straight line testing?

Because his head would fly off in fast corners!

I think that every time i hear his name mentioned

I suspect the marketing boost that the son of a former champion gives a team is probably the big reason he held his seat this year. That said, if they are planning to ditch him for a rookie for next year, i see no point in keeping him past about race 12 of the season. They may as well stick their new guy in for a few races to get acclimatised.

Bruno Senna maybe? I don't know if he is any good or not mind. :lol:

Still, Nelson was great on the track but we all know well enough his attitude off the track. Seems like he and his son switched those roles when jr. joined up.

by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Mar 2009, 12:21

I don't see why teams won't give someone like Vitantonio Liuzzi a shot here. Honestly, he's shown much more talent than Piquet has, at least in my opinion...

by **Bort** » 31 Mar 2009, 12:27

thehemogoblin wrote:I don't see why teams won't give someone like Vitantonio Liuzzi a shot here. Honestly, he's shown much more talent than Piquet has, at least in my opinion...

Screw Liuzzi. Bring back Frentzen!

by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Mar 2009, 12:39

Bort wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:I don't see why teams won't give someone like Vitantonio Liuzzi a shot here. Honestly, he's shown much more talent than Piquet has, at least in my opinion...

Screw Liuzzi. Bring back Frentzen!

Agreed. For the Motherland!

(and pardon me for relating to the discussion)

by **ImissJORDAN** » 01 Apr 2009, 02:03

It's how Flav works things out. One sterling driver (Schumi/Alonso), a host of B-Drivers to be support and to highlight the sterling driver's general godlike status. Which, with Schumi and Alonso is fair enough, because neither could tolerate a really good team-mate. Think of Herbert, Barrichello, Fisichella, now Piquet. He's not THAT bad, he's just outmatched by Alonso, and has the mental toughness and concentration of a city pigeon. I think if he was at Force India, he'd beat Fisi or Sutil, if at Williams would only be slightly behind Rosberg and ahead of Naka.

by **Stuart** » 01 Apr 2009, 22:36

Renault have often worked on a one man team. This is very noticeable with Schumacher and Alonso. The choice suited both of them and I think Piquet is there to be a solid number two. However he has been anything but and has been kept on probably for stability and the fact that he has improved over the last half of 2008. Be it from atrocious to just bad. If he keeps it up at this rate he will have a handful of points by mid season which is not acceptable.

I can't help but think that Bruno Senna will be in Piquet's seat by the end of the season.

Stuart
- http://www.formula1-blog.co.uk

Website · by **Wizzie** » 02 Apr 2009, 18:10

I'm gonna be brave and say that Nelsinho will be removed by Budapest. Which is round 10 this year rather than round 12 or 13

by **CarlosFerreira** » 03 Apr 2009, 01:01

Right, I'll bite the bullet and give my own wild prediction: Nelsinho out before Monaco, Sato (?!) in his seat. Alonso immediately starts a silly conflict with team and leaves to occupy Kimi's place in Ferrari before Budapest, while the Finn is busy chasing another bottle of Smirnoff around the pit lane. Hey, could happen...

by **Yannick** » 03 Apr 2009, 06:24

Sato is indeed the most likely driver to get into a race seat, in case one becomes available by another driver being dropped by a team. I still wonder why he hasn't been named as RBR and Toro Rosso's official reserve driver. Maybe not to put too much pressure on Buemi and Bourdais?

by **CarlosFerreira** » 03 Apr 2009, 06:32

Yannick wrote:Sato is indeed the most likely driver to get into a race seat, in case one becomes available by another driver being dropped by a team. I still wonder why he hasn't been named as RBR and Toro Rosso's official reserve driver. Maybe not to put too much pressure on Buemi and Bourdais?

Just speculating, but I wonder of that's why he hasn't signed up for other category yet?

by **midgrid** » 03 Apr 2009, 06:40

He's planning to contest selected IndyCar events this year, apparently. Red Bull's official reserve driver will be Brendon Hartley when he gets his Superlicence; until then, it's still DC's job!

by **CarlosFerreira** » 03 Apr 2009, 06:43

Nelsinho sure talks the talk:

Q: How are you finding the pressure?
NP: This is not easy to answer. The Melbourne track did not suit me so well, so this race will be a good showcase and test for myself. I want to qualify well, and if possible even ahead of Fernando (Alonso).

Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews ... /9116.html

Out-qualify Alonso? Hmmm, not getting my money.

by **LukeB** » 03 Apr 2009, 07:20

Yannick wrote:Sato is indeed the most likely driver to get into a race seat

Oh god, tell me this isn't a cruel joke!

by **thehemogoblin** » 03 Apr 2009, 07:41

LukeB wrote:
Yannick wrote:Sato is indeed the most likely driver to get into a race seat

Oh god, tell me this isn't a cruel joke!

Cruel joke would be either Perry McCarthy or Yuji Ide.

by **Jimmy Magnusson** » 03 Apr 2009, 08:17

Ralf Schumacher would be a good replacement, eh?

by **Bort** » 03 Apr 2009, 08:56

LukeB wrote:Oh god, tell me this isn't a cruel joke!

Sato is a great driver, far more deserving of a drive than half the field currently racing.

by **LukeB** » 03 Apr 2009, 12:02

Bort wrote:Sato is a great driver, far more deserving of a drive than half the field currently racing.

I think you misunderstand, Takus my favourite driver hence if Yannick is joking about his possible return it'd be cruel for getting my hopes up.
I'm not sure if he's particuly deserving of a drive, but I'd much rather have alternating-wildly-between-great-and-awful Taku then just plain awful Piquet.

by **Captain Hammer** » 03 Apr 2009, 12:13

I've never understood the love for Sato, and while Piquet may be just as bad when it comes to mistakes and retirements, he at least has some results to back him up. His spin at the Australian Grand Prix was probably caused by brake failure - as opposed to 'brake failure' being used to explain away driver error - because he was going straightwhen it happened.

Website · by **Wizzie** » 03 Apr 2009, 21:42

I think we all have to eat our words. Piquet has gone faster than Alonso in both Friday practice sessions at Sepang. But honestly he's gonna find the wall at some point.

by **midgrid** » 04 Apr 2009, 04:48

It's quite hard to find the wall in Sepang, although I suppose that Fisichella did manage to do it all by himself. The only other drivers I can remember hitting the barriers here are Olivier Panis in 1999 and Johnny Herbert in 2000.

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