Piquet money to give Jr a second chance at Campos?

pher38 · Post by **pher38** » 29 Dec 2009, 17:52

Rumor has it, "Disgraced former Renault F1 pilot Nelson Piquet Jr appears to have earned a reprieve following claims that he will form half of an all-Brazilian line-up at Formula One newcomer Campos Meta.

According to Spanish website motor21.com, the 24-year old has inked a three-year deal with the former GP2 Series team that will see him partner former sparring partner Bruno Senna in the top flight - but only after his father, three-time F1 world champion Nelson Sr, took a 15 per cent stake in Adrian Campos nascent operation. That deal, plus the support of several Brazilian companies keen to capitalise on the team's line-up, proved to be the key in seeing off rival bids from former Campos GP2 regular Vitaly Petrov and erratic Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado.

His-year-and-a-half at Enstone, however, is also understood to have given him a leg-up at Campos, allowing him to bring some F1 experience as well as family money, and putting him ahead of the likes of the vastly more seasoned Pedro de la Rosa, who had been seen as a shoo-in for the second seat based on his nationality. de la Rosa is not expected to settle for another year of reserve duties - having filled the role at McLaren since 2003 - but Campos is likely to find a Spanish talent to help assuage national support."

Now to me this team has a Forti meets Scuderia Italia Dallara feel about it if the rumor is true! A team with two Brazilian Drivers and apparently many Brazilian Sponsors and shareholders to (just like Forti in 1995) and a Dallara built chassis.
Lotus are basically Fondmetal, Virgin Racing are basically Simtek and now Campos are Forti meets Scuderia Italia Dallara.

lol, its just a bit of a theory.....

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 29 Dec 2009, 19:55

A possible driver pairing of a Senna and a Piquet in the same team doesn't sound too nice for the stability of a team, especially if Nelson Piquet Snr. manages one of the drivers. Here's hoping that Campos find a different pay driver so they don't need to sign the guy who gets his press releases written by his dad. Bruno Senna deserves better than being blamed for inexperience.

Post by **mario** » 29 Dec 2009, 20:23

Having helped start the discussion on another thread, I'll admit to having been mislead - it appears that the rumour may actually be an elaborate practical joke (I'll admit that they had taken time to make sure it sounded believable). :oops:

Well, I guess that it'll serve me right for not being so careful in future.

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 29 Dec 2009, 21:49

Senna and Piquet never mixed well...but that's not the point. Such idiot didn't deserve another chance in F1, at least for a fair while. Not to mention his lack of talent.

Alianora La Canta · Post by **Alianora La Canta** » 29 Dec 2009, 22:00

December 28 is the Spanish/Latin American equivalent of April Fool's Day.

Don't worry, mario, I've had to do myth-busting of two other F1-related false news at two other fora today - it seems a lot of people have been thrown by the "Fiesta de los Innocentes"...

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 29 Dec 2009, 22:07

Alianora La Canta wrote:December 28 is the Spanish/Latin American equivalent of April Fool's Day.

Don't worry, mario, I've had to do myth-busting of two other F1-related false news at two other fora today - it seems a lot of people have been thrown by the "Fiesta de los Innocentes"...

Eeeerm...yes, that's it, but it could have been perfectly true. The pay-driver era is beckoning...
And it's inocentes.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 29 Dec 2009, 22:13

Aside from the whole Spanish April Fools' Day, there are four things against Nelson Piquet:

1) Adrian Campos has said he does not want to run two drivers of the same nationality. He said this after he signed Bruno Senna; it seems that by taking Senna, Piquet was no longer a possibility since Campos no longer needed the money.
2) The team has two possible drivers lined up: Vitaly Petrov and Pastor Maldonado. Both of these guys come with over twenty million dollars in sponsorship (and Petrov is said to have a provision for more if needed); Nelson Piquet barely have five million.
3) Campos have said that Pedro de la Rosa is an "ideal" choice, though he's well behind Petrov and Maldonado as he does not have the money. If he's thought of so highly by the team and Petrov and Maldonado are not signed, Piquet will have a hard time getting around him.
4) The Piquets! have sold their GP2 team. Piquet Sports was only ever designed to get Nelson into Formula One (making him the ultimate pay driver), but it has now been purchased by an Italian group and renamed Team Rapax. If Nelson still has his heart set in Formula One, but couldn't get a drive for 2010, a return to GP2 would be the obvious choice. But his team has been sold on, so my thinking is that they're going to go elsewhere.

But, really ... your reactions of a collective "Oh, no!" are exactly what the Spanish want in running these stories.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 29 Dec 2009, 22:17

Captain Hammer wrote:Aside from the whole Spanish April Fools' Day, there are four things against Nelson Piquet:

1) Adrian Campos has said he does not want to run two drivers of the same nationality. He said this after he signed Bruno Senna; it seems that by taking Senna, Piquet was no longer a possibility since Campos no longer needed the money.
2) The team has two possible drivers lined up: Vitaly Petrov and Pastor Maldonado. Both of these guys come with over twenty million dollars in sponsorship (and Petrov is said to have a provision for more if needed); Nelson Piquet barely have five million.
3) Campos have said that Pedro de la Rosa is an "ideal" choice, though he's well behind Petrov and Maldonado as he does not have the money. If he's thought of so highly by the team and Petrov and Maldonado are not signed, Piquet will have a hard time getting around him.
4) The Piquets! have sold their GP2 team. Piquet Sports was only ever designed to get Nelson into Formula One (making him the ultimate pay driver), but it has now been purchased by an Italian group and renamed Team Rapax. If Nelson still has his heart set in Formula One, but couldn't get a drive for 2010, a return to GP2 would be the obvious choice. But his team has been sold on, so my thinking is that they're going to go elsewhere.

But, really ... your reactions of a collective "Oh, no!" are exactly what the Spanish want in running these stories.

All true. You forgot

5) The F1Rejects season review podcast predicted he'd never have another chance.

Number 5) clearly seals his fate. These are the same men who predicted Mark Webber would win the race at the 'Ring.

madcat · Post by **madcat** » 30 Dec 2009, 09:08

I'd be surprised if he went back to GP2, it would be a recognised step back. I'd expect him to go state side. Americans haven't got a clue what happens here, so no scandal problems, and he would actually have a chance of doing well (if Bourdais could, then...). But he's dad will keep pushing for F1, and that could cause more damage than good (unless the boy pulls something amazing out of the bag).

Post by **mario** » 30 Dec 2009, 11:15

Phoenix wrote:
Alianora La Canta wrote:December 28 is the Spanish/Latin American equivalent of April Fool's Day.

Don't worry, mario, I've had to do myth-busting of two other F1-related false news at two other fora today - it seems a lot of people have been thrown by the "Fiesta de los Innocentes"...

Eeeerm...yes, that's it, but it could have been perfectly true. The pay-driver era is beckoning...
And it's inocentes.

I guess that since others fell for it, I feel a little less foolish after all - but I am very glad that myth was busted.
I suppose that you could argue that with Toyota using it's position as an engine supplier to get Williams to accept Nakajima, pay drivers have still been around even today (albeit with factory backing instead of sponsors). However, with sponsors wallets being harder to prise open in the current business climate, I think that you are right in predicting that there will be a mini revival in the pay driver era (although some suggested pay drivers do show some promise as well, such as Petrov).

madcat wrote:I'd be surprised if he went back to GP2, it would be a recognised step back. I'd expect him to go state side. Americans haven't got a clue what happens here, so no scandal problems, and he would actually have a chance of doing well (if Bourdais could, then...). But he's dad will keep pushing for F1, and that could cause more damage than good (unless the boy pulls something amazing out of the bag).

Well, Piquet Jr. is determined to find somewhere to race, and the US motorsport scene might be more accommodating (although I think that the scandal would still follow him to the States - even though the US is not that interested in F1, something that big will have come up in the news). I guess that he could try his hand in the IRL (it'll be the closest he would get to an F1 car), or make a switch to Endurance racing in the ALMS.
Looking at it though, I can see that the Piquet clan will try everything to find a seat in F1 first though - so although we would rather see the back of him, if one of the teams is desperate enough for cash, then he might somehow make it back into the sport.

danardif1 · Post by **danardif1** » 30 Dec 2009, 12:40

Captain Hammer wrote:4) The Piquets! have sold their GP2 team. Piquet Sports was only ever designed to get Nelson into Formula One (making him the ultimate pay driver), but it has now been purchased by an Italian group and renamed Team Rapax. If Nelson still has his heart set in Formula One, but couldn't get a drive for 2010, a return to GP2 would be the obvious choice. But his team has been sold on, so my thinking is that they're going to go elsewhere.

Can Nelsinho even have a seat in GP2? I thought there was a rule or something meaning once you had done a certain number of GP's then you couldn't go back, so that younger drivers get their chance...

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 30 Dec 2009, 16:04

Captain Hammer wrote:4) The Piquets! have sold their GP2 team. Piquet Sports was only ever designed to get Nelson into Formula One (making him the ultimate pay driver), but it has now been purchased by an Italian group and renamed Team Rapax. If Nelson still has his heart set in Formula One, but couldn't get a drive for 2010, a return to GP2 would be the obvious choice. But his team has been sold on, so my thinking is that they're going to go elsewhere.

I can but lol at the probable English pronunciation of that, which can never be what its Italian owners intended.

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 30 Dec 2009, 16:04

Captain Hammer wrote:4) The Piquets! have sold their GP2 team. Piquet Sports was only ever designed to get Nelson into Formula One (making him the ultimate pay driver), but it has now been purchased by an Italian group and renamed Team Rapax. If Nelson still has his heart set in Formula One, but couldn't get a drive for 2010, a return to GP2 would be the obvious choice. But his team has been sold on, so my thinking is that they're going to go elsewhere.

I can but lol at the probable English pronunciation of that, which can never be what its Italian owners intended.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 30 Dec 2009, 18:29

Uh, that news NEVER EVER reached the United States... and I can say this, as I am an ardent follower of American sports.

watka · Post by **watka** » 30 Dec 2009, 22:13

NASCAR or bust.

Or should that be NASCAR and bust?

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 30 Dec 2009, 23:06

watka wrote:NASCAR or bust.

Or should that be NASCAR and bust?

NASCAR and stay there. :mrgreen:

Alianora La Canta · Post by **Alianora La Canta** » 30 Dec 2009, 23:12

Eeeerm...yes, that's it, but it could have been perfectly true. The pay-driver era is beckoning...
And it's inocentes. {Phoenix - 11 posts ago}

Is this why I only got an E when I last studied Spanish?

Alianora La Canta · Post by **Alianora La Canta** » 30 Dec 2009, 23:20

Can Nelsinho even have a seat in GP2? I thought there was a rule or something meaning once you had done a certain number of GP's then you couldn't go back, so that younger drivers get their chance... {danardif1 - 7 posts ago}

You can go back to GP2 after F1. Timo Glock did in order to get himself a second chance at F1, and it eventually worked. Giorgio Pantano did the same for the same reason (having lost a F1 seat at the same team in the same year)... ...and it didn't work even after he won the title!

The rule is that you can't do both GP2 and F1 in the same weekend. This is an extension of a rule applicable to all FIA sport, namely that if you participate in one series' race weekend and as a result are unable to participate in any element of a different series' race weekend falling within 24 hours of that participation, that you are in breach of the regulations and liable to pay a fine. The structure of F1's and GP2's respective race weekends means that anyone doing all of a GP2 weekend would inevitably have to miss part of the F1 weekend or vice versa (can't remember which, but I think it has something to do with briefings and/or press conferences).

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 30 Dec 2009, 23:43

Alianora La Canta wrote:Can Nelsinho even have a seat in GP2? I thought there was a rule or something meaning once you had done a certain number of GP's then you couldn't go back, so that younger drivers get their chance... {danardif1 - 7 posts ago}

You can go back to GP2 after F1. Timo Glock did in order to get himself a second chance at F1, and it eventually worked. Giorgio Pantano did the same for the same reason (having lost a F1 seat at the same team in the same year)... ...and it didn't work even after he won the title!

The rule is that you can't do both GP2 and F1 in the same weekend. This is an extension of a rule applicable to all FIA sport, namely that if you participate in one series' race weekend and as a result are unable to participate in any element of a different series' race weekend falling within 24 hours of that participation, that you are in breach of the regulations and liable to pay a fine. The structure of F1's and GP2's respective race weekends means that anyone doing all of a GP2 weekend would inevitably have to miss part of the F1 weekend or vice versa (can't remember which, but I think it has something to do with briefings and/or press conferences).

Neither Glock and Pantano though had been in GP2 before they were in F1. I think the rule might be that you can't enter GP2 for a second time after getting to F1. You've used it as your springboard to F1, now give someone else a chance.

Post by **mario** » 30 Dec 2009, 23:47

thehemogoblin wrote:Uh, that news NEVER EVER reached the United States... and I can say this, as I am an ardent follower of American sports.

Really? I suppose that it shows how much of a minority sport F1 is in the US then.

CarlosFerreira wrote:
watka wrote:NASCAR or bust.

Or should that be NASCAR and bust?

NASCAR and stay there.

Agreed - and it'll be even better if he takes a real beating from a driver like Montoya (and I suspect that there might be some here who wish that upon him in all senses).

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 31 Dec 2009, 00:29

I want to see what happens to Piquet when he tries to rough up Ron Hornaday, Todd Bodine, Mike Skinner, and Matt Crafton. Especially Skinner, who looks like he can stuff Piquet's candy ass into a garbage can.

Also, Crashgate is unknown in the U.S. -- anything F1 is unknown in the U.S., for crying out loud, the idiot NASCAR media called Scott Speed an "F1 ace", as if he was on Montoya's level! :lol:

IdeFan · Post by **IdeFan** » 31 Dec 2009, 01:21

According to some website its a hoax.

In a way I am disappointed. "Ralf" Piquet is the driver my family and I love to hate, for me theres no "villain" in F1 next year, and thats a shame.

This sort of deal is the only way Piquet is getting back into F1, and I actually think he would do a lot better if dad owns at least part of the team. Nelsinho has a pretty solid junior CV, but all of the good stuff was driving for his Father's team, Karting, F3, GP2. Whenever he has stepped into someone else's team, he has done badly, Renault F1 is the obvious example, but after a strong start he really didn't do very well in A1GP (driving for Fittipaldi), and didn't last the season.

If he came back driving for Piquet F1, with unquestioned #1 status and a cast iron contract, I think he would do rather better than he did in the Alonso-centred, Flavio-run Renault. Piquet Sr. certainly has the money, and by the end of 2011 I suspect the worst new F1 teams will be in desperate need of some cash, so it could happen.

bduddy · Post by **bduddy** » 31 Dec 2009, 03:53

*sigh* How many years in a row have well-respected F1 sites fallen for Innocentes pranks? This really shouldn't be a surprise...

http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... l=es&tl=en

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Dec 2009, 06:32

mario wrote:
thehemogoblin wrote:Uh, that news NEVER EVER reached the United States... and I can say this, as I am an ardent follower of American sports.

Really? I suppose that it shows how much of a minority sport F1 is in the US then.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html

Note how F1 doesn't appear until #8.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 31 Dec 2009, 09:47

Cynon wrote:I want to see what happens to Piquet when he tries to rough up Ron Hornaday, Todd Bodine, Mike Skinner, and Matt Crafton. Especially Skinner, who looks like he can stuff Piquet's candy ass into a garbage can.

I googled Mike Skinner. This came up first:

Also, note 'tache.

I see your point, Cynon.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Dec 2009, 10:02

CarlosFerreira wrote:

I love NASCAR for this reason, and sometimes, this reason alone.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Dec 2009, 10:03

Cynon wrote:I want to see what happens to Piquet when he tries to rough up Ron Hornaday, Todd Bodine, Mike Skinner, and Matt Crafton. Especially Skinner, who looks like he can stuff Piquet's candy ass into a garbage can.

This is one of the most amazingly awesome things ever posted here.

Debaser · Post by **Debaser** » 31 Dec 2009, 10:22

We just need Piquet to accuse the guy of inexperience and voila!!! We have the biggest fight since the Rumble in the Jungle.

madcat · Post by **madcat** » 31 Dec 2009, 10:43

I bet Skinner hadn't even crashed, he's so tough that's just him driving... :lol:

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 31 Dec 2009, 11:12

madcat wrote:I bet Skinner hadn't even crashed, he's so tough that's just him driving...

That is what happens when Mike Skinner's mustache flips the ignition switch. It's that awesome.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 31 Dec 2009, 14:01

Mike Skinner: The HWNSNBM of NASCAR?

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 31 Dec 2009, 14:23

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:Mike Skinner: The Chuck Norris of NASCAR?

Sorted out the blasphemy.

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 31 Dec 2009, 14:30

thehemogoblin wrote:Uh, that news NEVER EVER reached the United States... and I can say this, as I am an ardent follower of American sports.

I saw it in the front page of the money section in the Wall Street Journal, bundled together with an article about financial situations in F1.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 31 Dec 2009, 16:16

Alianora La Canta wrote:Can Nelsinho even have a seat in GP2? I thought there was a rule or something meaning once you had done a certain number of GP's then you couldn't go back, so that younger drivers get their chance... {danardif1 - 7 posts ago}

You can go back to GP2 after F1. Timo Glock did in order to get himself a second chance at F1, and it eventually worked. Giorgio Pantano did the same for the same reason (having lost a F1 seat at the same team in the same year)... ...and it didn't work even after he won the title!

The rule is that you can't do both GP2 and F1 in the same weekend. This is an extension of a rule applicable to all FIA sport, namely that if you participate in one series' race weekend and as a result are unable to participate in any element of a different series' race weekend falling within 24 hours of that participation, that you are in breach of the regulations and liable to pay a fine. The structure of F1's and GP2's respective race weekends means that anyone doing all of a GP2 weekend would inevitably have to miss part of the F1 weekend or vice versa (can't remember which, but I think it has something to do with briefings and/or press conferences).

I thought that was the case if you did at least 6 races in the last 2 years, or something similar. Glock only did 4 races.

Nin13 · Post by **Nin13** » 31 Dec 2009, 20:30

Campos has said no Piquet as of now!!

Alianora La Canta · Post by **Alianora La Canta** » 01 Jan 2010, 23:43

I thought that was the case if you did at least 6 races in the last 2 years, or something similar. Glock only did 4 races. {redbulljack14 - 2 comments ago}

You can do infinite F1 races and then go back to GP2. Pantano did 14 races and it didn't stop him going to GP2. More to the point, there is nothing in the GP2 Regulations that says anything about competition in any series prior to the GP2 weekend in question precludes competing in GP2. You just can't do both series in the same weekend (due to the generic International Sporting Code article expanded upon in my earlier comment).

The real reason you don't see many people who drop out of F1 attempt GP2 for a second time is because it is really, really expensive (a GP2 team's budget for the year is floating around $3m these days and the drivers are the main source of income) and by that time, series that pay wages (Stateside series, DTM) are available. Most drivers who lose their first F1 chance work out that there's unlikely to be a second and make their next move accordingly!

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 02 Jan 2010, 02:04

Alianora La Canta wrote:Pantano did 14 races and it didn't stop him going to GP2.

Yeah, but GP2 was only started in 2005. Pantano raced in F1 in 2004; before that, he was in GP2's precursor, the F3000 championship.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 02 Jan 2010, 11:50

CarlosFerreira wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:Mike Skinner: The Chuck Norris of NASCAR?

Sorted out the blasphemy.

Accurate.

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/ ... t-in-2010/

Sounds like Pastor Maldonado has been ruled out of the second Campos drive -- look at the nationalities that are listed -- hints that Vitaly Petrov and Ho-Pin Tung are in competition for the Campos drive. Italian and German, though? Heidfeld possibly... and what Italian are they talking about? Fisichella?

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 02 Jan 2010, 12:02

Cynon wrote:
Sounds like Pastor Maldonado has been ruled out of the second Campos drive -- look at the nationalities that are listed -- hints that Vitaly Petrov and Ho-Pin Tung are in competition for the Campos drive. Italian and German, though? Heidfeld possibly... and what Italian are they talking about? Fisichella?

Wasn't Ho-Pin Tung signed for Renault?

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 02 Jan 2010, 15:11

Phoenix wrote:
Cynon wrote:
Sounds like Pastor Maldonado has been ruled out of the second Campos drive -- look at the nationalities that are listed -- hints that Vitaly Petrov and Ho-Pin Tung are in competition for the Campos drive. Italian and German, though? Heidfeld possibly... and what Italian are they talking about? Fisichella?

Wasn't Ho-Pin Tung signed for Renault?

I thought so too, but apparently he hasn't inked the deal yet, either that or it fell through. Or perhaps he signed with Renault as their third driver but he's still available for a race seat elsewhere. Campos-Renault in the future?