This is the same guy who gave Hamilton a run for his money after a bad start in GP2 2006!

This is the same guy who spent a year testing Renaults car in 2007!

This is the same guy with a very good predigree

What has gone wrong with his potential, I cant believe for a millisecond this is Piquet and this is all he can offer. Something is going on behind the scene's which we are not told about, lets hope he isnt being given a duff car to stroke anyones ego.

Perhaps it is a stage too far too soon, or hopefully he is just on a slow learning curve and will fulfill his potential in the future.  Not all drivers have a spectacular start, but do go on to make worthy and highly competitive F1 drivers.  Here is hoping.

He may have given Hammy a run for his money in GP2, but some of us don't share your view that LH is the greatest Flying Greek god of F1 so it may not be the great achievement you think.!

He may have spent a year testing Renault's car in 2007 but the car was useless and he may not have had the experience to offer much feedback.

Good pedigree?  Doesn't mean a thing.  How many great F1 drivers have great F1 drivers for fathers?  None.  F1 drivers may produce reasonably good F1 drivers for sons - Hill etc. - but rarely greats.  It takes 2 lots of genes to make a baby you know.

So in your opinion the only possible explanation for Piquet's lack of achievement is that someone is manipulating things in Fernando's favour?  Don't you think the Renault team has enough to worry about trying to improve the car, why would they want to jeopardise their chances by compromising Piquet?  How about the fact that the Renault is not the best car out there and Piquet has not got the experience to get the best out of it.  Maybe if he'd walked straight into a top team with the best car on the grid he may be performing slightly differently and be hailed as the best thing to come into F1 for years!.  The difference between Alonso and Piquet's performance highlights Alonso's superior ability regarding car set-up and natural feeling for the little adjustments to the car that can make all the difference.  Add to that the fact that he makes few mistakes.  

So in a word, experience is the key. 

champalonso:

He may have given Hammy a run for his money in GP2, but some of us don't share your view that LH is the greatest Flying Greek god of F1 so it may not be the great achievement you think.!

He may have spent a year testing Renault's car in 2007 but the car was useless and he may not have had the experience to offer much feedback.

Good pedigree?  Doesn't mean a thing.  How many great F1 drivers have great F1 drivers for fathers?  None.  F1 drivers may produce reasonably good F1 drivers for sons - Hill etc. - but rarely greats.  It takes 2 lots of genes to make a baby you know.

So in your opinion the only possible explanation for Piquet's lack of achievement is that someone is manipulating things in Fernando's favour?  Don't you think the Renault team has enough to worry about trying to improve the car, why would they want to jeopardise their chances by compromising Piquet?  How about the fact that the Renault is not the best car out there and Piquet has not got the experience to get the best out of it.  Maybe if he'd walked straight into a top team with the best car on the grid he may be performing slightly differently and be hailed as the best thing to come into F1 for years!.  The difference between Alonso and Piquet's performance highlights Alonso's superior ability regarding car set-up and natural feeling for the little adjustments to the car that can make all the difference.  Add to that the fact that he makes few mistakes.  

So in a word, experience is the key. 

To keep Alonso happy and far from that humilating experienced at the hands of MY Greek dark flying goodness, Yes, quite frankly I do think Flavio will go to great lengths to keep Alonso happy. Piquet, once he got his car started in GP2 was in a class of his own, him and Hamilton were in a different class to the rest....who were all in equal cars?

I believe Piquet is in a duff car, under a duff contract and making Alonso look like Alexandra the great! That my theory anyway...poor ***! I am more than certain if he were in a McLaren, he would be giving Hamilton a hard time and a happier person.

 

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Agree that we can never be sure about what added/if any extra presures the drivers face off the track and how it affects their drives.

Don't really want to get into a 'LH has a better car so no other rookie should really be compared to him' rant. However, don't feel like Nelson has not quite lived up to his hype. do you think Renault figured he would perform better and if he doesn't improve will he still have a drive seat next year?

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

anametoremember:

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle the Renault.  I'd love to see how far Hamilton wou'ld get in that.  LOL  As I said before, just because a father is an F1 great doesn't mean the son will be.

champalonso:

anametoremember:

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle the Renault.  I'd love to see how far Hamilton wou'ld get in that.  LOL  As I said before, just because a father is an F1 great doesn't mean the son will be.

 

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle a Renault..i'd love to see how far Hamilton would get in that?

 

Mate last year, Fernando Alonso from what I remember correctly, one point BEHIND Lewis Hamilton, in virtually the same car. Now from what I can see Alonso is finishing above his weight, whilst Pique is below what he should be.

I was saying this as I was watching the race. He makes more mistakes in 1 race than Hamilton did in one season last year.

roomey:

champalonso:

anametoremember:

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle the Renault.  I'd love to see how far Hamilton wou'ld get in that.  LOL  As I said before, just because a father is an F1 great doesn't mean the son will be.

 

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle a Renault..i'd love to see how far Hamilton would get in that?

 

Mate last year, Fernando Alonso from what I remember correctly, one point BEHIND Lewis Hamilton, in virtually the same car. Now from what I can see Alonso is finishing above his weight, whilst Pique is below what he should be.

I was saying this as I was watching the race. He makes more mistakes in 1 race than Hamilton did in one season last year.

Did you read the main thread - ie suggesting that Renault has been manipulating results to make Alonso appear better than piquet?  It seems a lot of people cannot come to terms with the fact that Fernando is 2 x WDC and like to think he is a nobody for some reason.

Please explain to me all the mistakes he made in Istanbul, as I unfortunately missed them....

roomey:

champalonso:

anametoremember:

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle the Renault.  I'd love to see how far Hamilton wou'ld get in that.  LOL  As I said before, just because a father is an F1 great doesn't mean the son will be.

 

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle a Renault..i'd love to see how far Hamilton would get in that?

 

Mate last year, Fernando Alonso from what I remember correctly, one point BEHIND Lewis Hamilton, in virtually the same car. Now from what I can see Alonso is finishing above his weight, whilst Pique is below what he should be.

I was saying this as I was watching the race. He makes more mistakes in 1 race than Hamilton did in one season last year.

He did make quite a few mistakes during the race. Also if Nelson Snr said that his son is better than him then that just confirms what I have always thought. Nelson Piquet was not that good, I mean how do you win 3x WDC with only 23 career wins? Plenty of luck that's how, Mansell should have taken one of those but for bad luck (again).

Sorry GreyKitten, I will expect a bit of a savaging from you now. Just to support my argument, it didn't take long for MS to get the measure of Nelson.

Just a thought, a name doesnt make a person, nor talent. Piquet aquitted hims self admirably in GP2, being associated with the speed and skill of Hamilton.F1 is a different leaugea drivers feedback is and integral part of the honing of a well set up car which in turn is better to drive which allows for a faster drive and then on to a better performance. Piquet Snr did it at F1 level, Piquet Jnr is  not there (I am not even going to say there YET because not everyone makes it so "yet" would be to pressume that he ABSOLUTELY will, thats how things are). I wish him all the best.

 

Me thinks that the the likes of Area 51 generate enough consiparcy theories without the pleathora abound in these threads.

 A PERSONAL VIEW, I hope Alonso is a better team mate to Piquet than he has been in the past shall we say, that would help Piquet, the team and indeed Alonso, time will tell . . .

champalonso:

roomey:

champalonso:

anametoremember:

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle the Renault.  I'd love to see how far Hamilton wou'ld get in that.  LOL  As I said before, just because a father is an F1 great doesn't mean the son will be.

 

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle a Renault..i'd love to see how far Hamilton would get in that?

 

Mate last year, Fernando Alonso from what I remember correctly, one point BEHIND Lewis Hamilton, in virtually the same car. Now from what I can see Alonso is finishing above his weight, whilst Pique is below what he should be.

I was saying this as I was watching the race. He makes more mistakes in 1 race than Hamilton did in one season last year.

Did you read the main thread - ie suggesting that Renault has been manipulating results to make Alonso appear better than piquet?  It seems a lot of people cannot come to terms with the fact that Fernando is 2 x WDC and like to think he is a nobody for some reason.

Please explain to me all the mistakes he made in Istanbul, as I unfortunately missed them....

All I am saying is if Piquet is getting equal treatment in Renault i would eat my hat, he signed a second rate contract, and I dont think he gets equal status in the team...shame, we dont need one/two drivers in F1 anymore!

champalonso:

roomey:

champalonso:

anametoremember:

RaggedEdge:

GreyKitten:

I must admit it's not the start that I'd hoped for.  I think that he is on a very steep learning curve at the moment.  Testing isn't much like racing and although he's had some experience of driving the car he's in a whole new world now.  He hasn't had the advantages that LH has had of being part of the team for most of his career plus he's got the baggage of having a 3 times WDC dad.

I followed Nelson Snr's career from pretty much the first day he appeared in F3 and I've taken a close interest in Nelson Jnr.  I still believe he has the potential, because I've seen some superb drives from him, I just hope that he's given the time that he'll need to settle in.  We also don't see the amount of pressure that he's getting from the media (and the public) in Brazil.

Nelson Snr reckson that Jnr is a better driver than he was - that's good enough for me.  I'm sure that he'll fulfil his potential as long as the pressure doesn't get to him first.  I remember a lot of people writing Nelson Snr off when he first drove in F1 - I hope Jnr will prove the doubters as wrong as his dad did!

 

Or it could be the simple fact that NP does not have the necessary talent...

Or he could be treated like a backing singer, actually quite good, but left to dress in black and sing in the chorus!

His father had two bum first seasons, then came good, but the Piquet we are witnessing is strugglying more than he has too. The golf between him and Alonso, then him to Hamilton is not coherent on what the car should be doing at this stage. The only concerning factor this lad has is that he raced for Piquet sports throughout much of his career in different formulas and racing events.

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle the Renault.  I'd love to see how far Hamilton wou'ld get in that.  LOL  As I said before, just because a father is an F1 great doesn't mean the son will be.

 

Perhaps you don't appreciate the skill it takes to handle a Renault..i'd love to see how far Hamilton would get in that?

 

Mate last year, Fernando Alonso from what I remember correctly, one point BEHIND Lewis Hamilton, in virtually the same car. Now from what I can see Alonso is finishing above his weight, whilst Pique is below what he should be.

I was saying this as I was watching the race. He makes more mistakes in 1 race than Hamilton did in one season last year.

Did you read the main thread - ie suggesting that Renault has been manipulating results to make Alonso appear better than piquet?  It seems a lot of people cannot come to terms with the fact that Fernando is 2 x WDC and like to think he is a nobody for some reason.

Please explain to me all the mistakes he made in Istanbul, as I unfortunately missed them....

Ran wide, lost control of the back end underbreaking at the end of the long straight. (forgot what corner it is)

Collided with Bourdais in Spain.

There's tons.