Renault F1: Picket suspended

Nelson Piquet Jr could compete in his last Grand Prix with Renault in Hungary. The team gives him one last chance by giving him an R29 strictly identical to that of Fernando Alonso. If he fails to raise his level of performance, he will be replaced by Romain Grosjean from Valencia.

Published on 20/07/2009 à 11:13

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Nelson Piquet has been on probation for several weeks at Renault. Unconvincing in 2008, the Brazilian has hardly been more convincing this season, only managing to carry his car in the first half of the peloton.

However, the son of the three-time world champion F1 can argue that it has rarely benefited from the same developments as Fernando Alonso on his R29. It is also this point which allowed Nelsinho to keep his seat for the Hungarian Grand Prix, during which he will have the same equipment as the Spaniard.

If the gap which separates him from the leader of the French team remains the same, Piquet Junior will be disembarked at the end of the Hungarian meeting.

Romain Grosjean, Renault reserve driver, is currently best placed to inherit the Brazilian's seat. Currently second in GP2, present at all F1 races in the diamond team stand, he must be ready for any eventuality. Carlos Ghosn has also made no secret of his preference for the Franco-Swiss, whose tenure would generate positive media coverage for the team.