Nelson Piquet jr.: I'm like Senna

Im sorry, he kind of sounds like an arrogant ****. Hopefully he didn't mean some of his words literally or they were taken a bit out of context and he isn't quite like he comes off. It would be interesting to see him race though.

 

Exact same sentiment here... who wants to bet this guy ends up no-where?

--Dan

 

John and Jordan,

I am a big fan of the lower formula open wheel series in Europe, and though there is no TV coverage here in the US, my dad sends over video tapes of F3 races.

There is no doubt that he has world class talent. In addition he has the "Piquet" name and the family money. He has been one of the top racers in F3 since he came over from Brazil.

However, the question many ask, is if he would have made it this far without his father's money and name. There were allegations that he cheated in the Brasilian series and that he always had the best equipment against others who didn't.

Even when he came over to F3 in the UK, his team looked like an F1 team compared to the British based teams.

He did win many races in F3, but he was also beaten on a regular basis. He did not dominate the way Senna did (or at least until Senna raced Brundell).

There have been several interviews in British car magazines and he does indeed come across like a spoiled brat whose had a silver spoon placed you know where. It's ok to be arrogant or cockey in this sport and even at the level of F3 most racers at the front of the grid all think (or say) the same thing (I am the best...I am going to F1 etc..).

However, the way he worded it "I am not interested in buying me seat ....blah, blah, ......I am going to conquer it" seems a bit rash.

He tested the Williams along with Nico Rosberg (son of Keke) and although Willaims refused to publish times it was rumored that Rosberg actually turned faster laps. This was hard for me to believe considering Rosberg competed in the lighter German F3 series where competion is less.

All in all, I think that Piquet is a very arrogant driver above and beyond what is expected and tolerated by most. He certainly wasn't one of the popular drivers on the UK circuit.

Once he gets to F1 his dad's money and name won't mean squat.

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod
www.flatoutracing.net

 

If this guy was even slightly comparable to Senna in capability, with a couple of seasons under his belt he'd be being well talked about by now......he isn't ....go figure!

 

I think Piquet Jnr's comments are wrongly perceived here. He compares himself to his father in only one respect: speaking your mind. He syas his father was outspoken and continues to say that he's not but more like Senna, who according to him wasn't as outspoken as Piquet Snr.

So I don't think Piquet Jnr. is comparing himself to Senna that much (i.e. his driving style, other personality aspects etc.)

 

You're absolutely right. His comparison is to how he speaks, not how he drives.

 

To be like Senna as your title says, then he must be dead.

 

You guys don't deal day to day with Latin ego obviously.......

Houston is full of "fearless vehicle operators" driving like Senna, and they all think of themselves in the same high regard.......

The whole South and Central American societies are based upon total domination of the male ego........

Montoya.......Piquet, Jr. they are simply products of this upbringing.

The book authored by Senna's girlfriend makes interesting reading in this regard. She started that relationship as a teenager, but was pretty wise, by the time he went six feet down........

 

Yea I caught that correctly, but I think his ego comes off in his comments about not wanting to enter F1 in a lower team... just wanting to go right to the top.

 

In that case this reveals an interesting cultural difference, because to me all they sound like are whiney little *****es.

 

Oh the irony ... how funny that he'd say "I don't want to buy my seat." Newsflash: Your whole career has been bought with your dad's money, and promoted with his name. And Jon's right, he went slower at the BMW test.

 

I remember that test and the fact that neither got hired in a test driver role speaks volumes. They came and went. And that despite Bernie, who would probably give his left arm to get either into a seat to have the ring of the name back in his show and despite today's trend of hiring promising talents (e.g. Kimi and Alonso) straight from lower formulae.

 

Side note:

Come on... just because you're a racist doesn't mean you have to air it here. There are many Central and South American owners on this board. Have some respect. And don't give me any of that "oh, I was talking about the illegals that come over, not any real hard working people." Your house is a hell of a lot cheaper because of those "wet backs" as is the meal you eat at the restaurants you go to. I have a friend who makes a living in the housing market here and let me tell you his crew (with many illegals) works their ASSES off for $100 a day.

While I agree with you that machismo is a problem within their patriarchal society demeaning a race isn't necessary to get your point across.

I grew up in Texas with a mother who immigrated from Ireland (as somewhere down the line your ancestors were immigrants as well) and as an immigrants son I’m offended by your remarks. I’ll never find fault in someone looking for a better life. I now live in Los Angeles, where as a Caucasian I'm a minority. It'll happen there as well. Get used to it. America is a country in flux. Always has been, always will be.

http://maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=walmart

 

Ok, everybody take a deep breath and let's cool down and not use the w word anymore.

PS: I only knew that term from Alan Shepard's time in the Mercury capsule. Never thought of it as a derogative.

 

sorry...poor choice of words on my part...too late to edit it, to soften it up.

So it stands.....


And you are absolutley correct that I refer to the ones without licenses, without insurance, driving cars off a weekly note lot, overloaded with children illegally unbelted, driven by non English speaking operators that have little or no chance of assimilating into our society.....

They are ahead of you in the Emergency Room line as well, with a bambino with a runny nose. I am really careful to avoid gunshot wounds and other serious injuries..

Illegals........that's the word I should have used......

No room here to debate the actual impact to the US economy, as you noted it has been a permeable border for years. Most of them I've known personally make severe sacrifices here, to send money home, across our borders.

I'm more concerned as to the impact on society, and MY children's future, from the ones who use South Park Mexican for a role model......Google him and his rape of underaged girls, for an example. It's an interesting mindset of male entitlement......

Now back to our discussion of egomaniacal Racecar Drivers spending Daddy's money, and comparing themselves to actual Legends.

Am I racist, if I abhor idiocy across all color lines???? LOL!

 

Guys, take it easy now please. This is the Racing section and not P&R. Let's stick to the forum.

If anybody needs something edited and can't anymore, send me a PM and I'll take care of it.

Back to the spoiled brat Piquet Jr. You can clearly see the pedigree: Just as big a loud mouth as his father. Entertaining.

 

Native Texan here, and raised in a multi -cultural environment of tolerance.....


But it has gotten REAL BAD, man.........I mean REAL BAD........

So again, accept my apology and don't stop here for gas after dark........the blood all runs the same color.

 

Well said....LOL!

You do have to have self assurance in that line of work....do me a favor and change that word for me...your choice...maybe 'fearless vehicle operators" would work better......


Sorry.

 

That's funny....I don't have a house, and also work for $100 a day AFTER TAXES.......

'Nuff said.

 

Sorry but I don't agree that the typical stereotype you portray of South Americans (which may or may not be correct) extends to all Brazilian drivers and racers.

I have personally met all three former CART starts, Tony Kannan, Gil DeFerran, and Helio Castroneves. In addition, I have read many articles and seen interviews with DeMatta. None of these guys speak which such arrogance as Piquet Jr.

In addition, Massa, Pizzinia, and other Brazilian starts don't come across that way.

It is well known fact, that in the UK, there existed much animosity between the general competition and the Piquet F3 team and specifically Jr. It stemmed from one of his very first races where he felt he was pushed wide by a competitor and was rumored to be overheard telling his father something to the effect, "...you a 3 time F1 Champ...go tell them to DQ him...they will listen to you." This, if true, caused much resentment among others.

It's not like they have never seen a Brazilian racer before. The British in fact, have a great affinity for Brazilian racers in F3, which makes it all the more telling that Piquet Jr. is very much resented in the UK for being a arrogant little daddie's boy. His father was well respected and loved by the British race fans in the 70's but his son is not.

Brazilians are fierce competitors on the track but they aren't arrogant pricks like I perceive Jr. to be.

Regards,

Jon

 

Interesting comments and I was thinking about Rubinho myself, who seems to be a very nice guy, although you can argue he is half Italian. I have met Emmo and think the world of him. Massa is probably cool too.

OTOH there are the Piquets, where the father was a big mouth too (whether the Brits respected him or not) and there is JPM. But I guess it goes as with all nations, races etc: There are good and bad apples.

 

You know ,that is spot on...and I am wrong and you are right!

I agree the examples you cited are true sportsman, and gentlemen.

Maybe we have taken this, as suggested, somewhat out of the context from which it was intended...

I know these young men sometimes have it cut out for them to gain respect on their own, with so much attached to their Dad's name. The same thing has faced the famous American racing families......