Nelson's Column: Piquet rooting for Massa

Eurosport - Fri, 24 Oct 12:54:00 2008

Eurosport expert and Renault star Nelson Piquet Jr would like to see Brazilian countryman Felipe Massa win the World Championship at the expense of Briton Lewis Hamilton.

FORMULA 1 2008 - Nelson Piquet Jr, Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa on the podium in German Grand Prix - 0

What was the thinking behind the strategy in Shanghai? It seemed as though you were on a one-stopper after the first stint - but came in a second time.

We always planned to do a two-stop strategy because the fuel-effect in Shanghai is one of the highest of the season. We did a long first stint as this was the ideal strategy for us and it worked out quite well as I finished in the points again and helped the team secure fourth in the championship.

Fernando Alonso took fourth at the weekend, as you did the previous week. You are both finishing in the points at every round. What has changed to bring this about?

It's really down to all the hard work by the team to keep pushing the development of the R28: for example in Singapore we introduced a new front wing, which helped us a lot. We also understand the chassis much better now and I feel a lot more confident in the car and can get the most out of it.

Flavio Briatore says Renault is the team that has improved their car the most this season and will be allowed to improve it further for 2009. Can they challenge for the top honours next season?

It's difficult to say because next year is such an unknown with radically different rules. I know the team have been working hard on the 2009 car and we've seen in the past that the team has always coped well with new rules. We've also shown this year that we can out-develop the cars around us, so I'd say things look positive for next year.

Have you spoken with Briatore or anyone else at Renault about their plans regarding drivers for next season?

It's Flavio's decision and I'm sure we will know in due time. All I can do is concentrate on doing the best job I can in the final race.

What do you have planned after the season has ended?

With the final race being in Brazil it's a good chance for me to catch up with my family and friends. I will arrive early next week and then stay with my family for a bit after the race.

What do you expect from the Brazilian Grand Prix? How do you find Interlagos to race at?

It will be the first time I've driven an F1 car at Interlagos, but I've raced there before and love the circuit. It's challenging from a technical point of view as you have a long straight but also lots of slow hairpins in the middle of the lap - getting the right balance in the car will be the priority during free practice.

You were so close to reaching Q3 in Shanghai. What grid position would satisfy you in Brazil, given the current state of the car?

My goal since the start of the season has always been to reach Q3 and that will be my aim for Brazil. If we can get the car working as well as it did in Japan and China then that's a realistic goal.

Have the early comparisons with your father stopped now, or do people still talk about him to you? Will you seek advice from him about the GP?

It's something that people like to talk about, but not so much anymore. It's an inevitable comparison to make, but we're difficult to compare because we raced in different eras. I talk to him on the phone regularly, but we don't talk too much about racing.

Do you expect Lewis Hamilton or Felipe Massa to win the World Championship? Who deserves it, in your eyes?

To be honest I'd like to see Felipe win the title. And if he did it in Brazil the country would go crazy! However, Lewis is definitely the favourite and it will be tough for Felipe, but he'll have massive support from the fans.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 153 - 172 of 172

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  1. ferrariissh1te, Ferrari Int'l Assistance - that, my friend, is priceless and far in excess of the normal stuff on these boards. BRAVO! As i have said on other boards, does anyone not feel like this title will be jaded because of the bizarre rulings in so many races, whether you are a ferrari fan or otherwise?? I have forgotten the valour and respect I used to apportion F1, its more like some sort of serial comedy at the moment. Herr Mosely has a good deal to answer for.

    Agreed paulieblondon77 - someone supporting his countryman and NOT your preference a loser does not make. It's amazing how blinkered fans become. I am a fan of LH but lets face it, if he blows it this year he'd better drop back down to GP2 because his pride will be smashed. And this could happen. Massa is a good guy and on home soil, he has some cards in his favour there and just needs to stay in the running. I reckon Alonso will probably take LH out - gettin like Rollerball out now!!

    From irwin.ford@..., on Wed 29 Oct 11:12PM

  2. @ikemsky: actually, they were even, both had 109 points, and Kimi 110, so...watch F1 races,then comment ;)

    From Anakyn, on Mon 27 Oct 10:32PM

  3. I find it funny that you are responding in such a way. You are ingnorent, Piquet would rather his countryman win rather than LH, and then you start calling him a loser, well then you must be losers awell because you're rooting for hamilton. He did not criticise Hamilton in anyway, and after reading this, I hope he decideds to take Hamilton out whens he getting lapped, just to see how you idiots will respond.

    From paulieblondon77, on Mon 27 Oct 9:03PM

  4. Chuckle - I rest my case !

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Mon 27 Oct 5:03PM

  5. JENNER 174 IS A CONCEITED OAF WHO CLEARLY REVEALS HIS IGNORANCE OF RACING

    From zzoeland, on Mon 27 Oct 4:49PM

  6. Piquet rooting for Messa is like a Turkey rooting for Christmas. Messa will only get a good result in Brazil if Kimi gets fed up and decides to let him catch up with him & Lewis.

    From chtech06, on Mon 27 Oct 2:40PM

  7. I dream all the time that we can talk about F1 racing in an adult and humurous way with a sprinkle of sportsmanship cascading gently down over the heads of all those who participate in these sites. What's that expression? Oh, yes, Dream On !

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Mon 27 Oct 1:35PM

  8. Hamilton is going to be crowned champion on sunday!!! I'm not big fan of anybody but does Massa really deserve the championship? The only way u all reckon Hamilton can loose is if he has a car failure. Thats how good he is!!!
    Hey and all those talking about Alonso, what did he do when he had the fastest car last season? answer is..he was beaten by a rookie teammate. Thats how good alonso can be in a fast car

    From ikemsky, on Mon 27 Oct 1:22PM

  9. camel c needs a full service ,., no brain., only a block of desert sand

    From startoratora, on Mon 27 Oct 12:40PM

  10. Camel C Talk from your rear orifice as you may get more sense from it.

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh McLaren to win

    From r.l.milligan@..., on Mon 27 Oct 10:08AM

  11. ALONSA ALONSO BON CHANCE TO WIN YET AGAIN GO GO GOOD LUCK

    From salsa747, on Mon 27 Oct 7:39AM

  12. UP the FERRARI forever no one team is better than them.

    From Camel C, on Sun 26 Oct 9:05PM

  13. Does it mean most of the F1 funs are dumb and racists??

    From Peter, on Sun 26 Oct 8:06PM

  14. Up the Ferrari and the best luck to Massa in the next race.

    From Camel C, on Sun 26 Oct 6:31PM

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    Just to make things a little bit easier we've arranged a private second lane , just for you
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    Had a crash? Need to win the world championship? Don't worry just limp across the track and take off your nearest championship title contender & we'll do the rest
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    At Ferrari International Assistance we operate a *blind eye* policy just for Ferrari drivers
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    Ferrari International Assistance - Making it up as we go along for over 100 years

    From ferrariissh1te@..., on Sun 26 Oct 6:11PM

  16. Had a little read of the comments and could not believe the drivel in so many of them. Please try to make sensible points not playground insults.
    btw mga I used to have a dog like that. I will tell Sharon she will think it very funny!

    From BigBill, on Sun 26 Oct 6:03PM

  17. Any way my favorite one is R.Kubica but he have no chance no with Bmw sauber.

    From Camel C, on Sun 26 Oct 5:59PM

  18. i had a dream i was in bed with sharon stone and she was kissing my ear.woke up and the dog had snuck in to bed and was licking my ear.just goes to show you cannot trust your dreams.lol

    From MGA, on Sun 26 Oct 5:28PM

  19. I had very similar dream Hamiltons engine blowed up.That was very realistic dream and this may happen in Brasil.

    From Camel C, on Sun 26 Oct 5:15PM

  20. I had a nightmare, hamilton was crowned champion!! I hope it was only a nightmare because if he wins I will NEVER live it down!

    From tifosi4eva, on Sun 26 Oct 5:07PM
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