Rainmaster 7 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Di Grassi lined up for Renault seat By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 30th 2008, 10:01 GMT Lucas di Grassi has emerged as the leading contender to replace Nelson Piquet at Renault next year if the French car manufacturer decide to drop the Formula One rookie, autosport.com has learned. Although Piquet has scored one podium finish with a fortunate second place in the German Grand Prix, he has been unable to find the pace to match the team's number one driver Fernando Alonso. Piquet did not help his cause when he crashed out of the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend - although ironically his error played a key part in helping Alonso triumph. Sources close to the team claim that Piquet has not done enough to justify a second season with the team, and his situation was not helped when di Grassi impressed Renault with a solid three-day run during the recent Jerez test. It is understood di Grassi not only did well in terms of his overall speed in Jerez but also shone in the swift way he got up to speed, as well as his positive attitude towards the team. Renault boss Flavio Briatore is currently considering what to do about his 2009 driver line-up, although any final decision does depend on whether Fernando Alonso decides the stay with the team. Sources have revealed that Briatore has already offered Piquet to Scuderia Toro Rosso for next year, but it is understood the team are not interested unless there is a big financial incentive. If Toro Rosso do not take up the offer, then Piquet could well be consigned to just a test driver role next year. Source Well what can I say? The guy was super impressive, a total all rounder and probably one of the fastest, bravest and strategically minded Grand Prix driv..wait a minute, wrong goodbye message. Erm, Piquet sucks, and it looks like Renault are booting him. Now normally I'd say it's better to give a guy more time (2 seasons), and I do like Nelson, but he's been distinctly crap all year. So cya kid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dribbler 6 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 All i ever wanted was the kid to have time. He has had time. He's not good enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Argento Reloaded 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 I think Flavio made the same mistake twice: Heikki and Piquet jr. -only the second time was worse.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AleHop 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 He did well last race. No, seriously he can't be worse than Kovalainen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rainmaster 7 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 He did well last race. No, seriously he can't be worse than Kovalainen. How do you figure that one? Kova don't be crashing, Piquet be crashing very muchly. Plus he's never shown anything special, unlike HK who has, in the rain and a couple of other times. But atm they both suck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Max Mosley 2 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Yeah honestly I was moderately impressed with HK. Sure he had an iffy start but once he got going he did fine at Renault. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elgo 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 One has to laugh at Lobato: [singapore qualy,Piquet fails on Q1.] Lobato: 'It's the 2nd time this season that Piquet hasn't passed to Q2' [Ad break] 'Actually,I've just been told that this is the 8th time this season that he fails to qualify for Q2' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ayrton Senna 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Yep, Nelsinho sucks a lot. I doubt Berger will want him. I have good hopes for Di Grassi, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikathegreat2 2 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 YES!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY PIQUET IS GONE FROM F1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5P33D3V1L 0 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 He's been absolutely shocking this season. Shocking, how he even got the seat in the first place and held it for so long was beyond me. If anyone better was in his place at hockenhiem they would of won rather than 2nd. Goodbye Nelson, it was fun watching you c*ck up at nearly every race... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rainmaster 7 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Yep, Nelsinho sucks a lot. I doubt Berger will want him.I have good hopes for Di Grassi, though. Yes Di Grassi looks much more impressive and Toro Rosso are certainly in a position to turn down someone like Piquet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HandyNZL 1 Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Reminds me of this guy that used to race for this team not so long back and he got dropped from the race team and made into a tester and then got given another shot at a race seat, and he amassad a few points this season and currently sits in P2 in the championship. Maybe he has been rushed up too soon, like many of the grid are these days...maybe testing for a year would do him a world of good then get a race seat in 2010/2011. But then again, HE HASN'T BEEN DROPPED......................................................................yet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aussief1 4 Report post Posted October 1, 2008 The best thing Nelsinho did this year was crash in Singapore, thus helping Fernando through the field. For that Renault must be thankful. He was a big mouth / arrogant prick prior to the season getting under way. Far too c#cky for me, never liked the fool. So long sucker* * When the decision comes to drop him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grabthaw the Hammerslayer 4 Report post Posted October 1, 2008 Never have been impressed with "Junior", a shadow of "Senior". Not a shocker. Remember watching him in A1GP (yes I was one of the few people who watched it then) and being underwhelmed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DOF_power 0 Report post Posted October 1, 2008 Well he seems on of the few drivers that doesn't belong in F1. Didn't he said it was easy ?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiskee 0 Report post Posted October 1, 2008 Well to his defence, he has a tough team-mate to be compared to, and he's been surprisingly close to Alonso in a few races this season. I don't like him either and he's a future test driver fo sho... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5P33D3V1L 0 Report post Posted October 1, 2008 Reminds me of this guy that used to race for this team not so long back and he got dropped from the race team and made into a tester and then got given another shot at a race seat, and he amassad a few points this season and currently sits in P2 in the championship.Maybe he has been rushed up too soon, like many of the grid are these days...maybe testing for a year would do him a world of good then get a race seat in 2010/2011. But then again, HE HASN'T BEEN DROPPED......................................................................yet So your saying Nelson "could" be as good a Massa?...... PAHAHAHAHAHA!! Shame Nelson's manager isnt Jean Todts son or else he'd be in a Ferrari leading the championship now right?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Rumble Strip 0 Report post Posted October 1, 2008 No surprise really. He had a decent mid season but most of the time has not looked up to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites