Rate it!

2 votes

EXCLUSIVE! Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr talks about life as the son of a world champion, grid girls and fish and chips.

What is the nature of your relationship with your father as you establish yourself in F1? How often does he go to see you race?

Our relationship is great, but we don't see each other much as he lives in Brazil. We speak a lot on the phone and it's always good to talk things through with him because he has been around Formula 1 for a long time. He came to the race in Barcelona earlier this year but probably won't come to any others.

What advice has he given you during your rookie season with Renault?

He hasn't given me much advice really. In my first year in Formula 3 he helped me the most, but as my career has developed the more he leaves me alone. He talks to me like any father does and makes sure I'm doing the right things like training, but otherwise he doesn't get involved a lot.

How do you find life in Oxford? Where in Britain do you like to visit for a short break if you have the time?

When I first moved to England to race in Formula 3, I lived in Oxford, which is a beautiful place. I've also always wanted to visit Scotland, so I hope I can go there soon.

What do you think of English food? How does it compare with French or Brazilian cuisine? Is there anything you particularly like such as pies or fish and chips?

I usually go out to eat, either to an Italian or Japanese restaurant - I'm actually quite fond of sushi. That's more my thing than fish and chips!

Have you tried to develop an interest in any traditionally English sports such as rugby or cricket? Or do you support an English football team?

I'm not all that big into sports really. I like to do things myself like waterskiing, wakeboarding and jet-skiing, but I don't play anything else. I always take an interest in international football and, of course, support Brazil. Maybe Flavio will invite me to a QPR game, but I don't know that much about English football!

Has life as an F1 driver matched your expectations? What are the major differences from travelling with a GP2 team, for example?

There is more travelling as a Formula 1 driver as we do more races and lots more testing. My life as an F1 driver is certainly much busier!

Which team has got the best grid girls? Do you have a girlfriend - and does she get jealous with all the honeys around the paddock?

We have different girls at every race so you can't really say. If we're going on quantity then, of course, it's Red Bull Racing as they have the Formula Unas. I do have a girlfriend but she doesn't get jealous. She knows that when the drivers are in the paddock we have a lot of work to do and that's our focus.

What do you think of the decision to move the British GP to Donington? Do you prefer that circuit, Brands Hatch or Silverstone as a venue for F1?

When I was racing in British Formula 3 a few years ago, I raced at all three circuits and loved them all. Silverstone has always been among my favourite tracks and it's a great place to drive an F1 car, but the plans for Donington look exciting too.

Have you got any celebrity friends? What do you get up to when you get together?

I have the same friends now as I had when I was growing up in Brazil. I do get to meet some celebrities now, but I wouldn't say I was friends with them, unless you count some of the other drivers. I was in a restaurant a couple of months ago and David and Victoria Beckham were on the next table having dinner with (fashion designer) Marc Jacobs, which was pretty cool.

Interview by Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport