Piquet criticizes Briatore and Grosjean says he is ready to take his place

The marriage seems well and truly consummated between Flavio Briatore and Nelsinho Piquet within the Renault F1 Team. As shown by the FOM cameras during the Hungarian Grand Prix, Briatore decided to leave the circuit after Alonso’s retirement, while Piquet was still racing, in 12th position.

In an interview with an Italian magazine, the Renault manager stated that if Piquet Junior failed to score points, it was not because he had a less competitive car than his teammate, but simply because he did not have the stature to be a great F1 driver.

«I have always been fair with my drivers. I expected much more from Piquet because it’s his second season as a full-time driver. He did fewer tests than Alonso, but Webber also did fewer tests than Vettel because of his broken leg, and look where he is now.»

Briatore continued: « When a driver lacks results, he opens the book of excuses and starts: it’s the weather’s fault, a spectator’s sunglasses, a pin in a straight line, etc. It’s not true that there is a seven-tenths difference between Alonso’s and Piquet’s cars. The technical difference has always been minimal and never more than one race. »

Piquet, for his part, insisted on responding to his boss’s remarks. According to him, Briatore’s only interest is money and profit, rather than the genius of motor racing… The atmosphere is not rosy in the French team’s garage!

« Flavio is a businessman, but he doesn’t understand anything about F1, » stated the Brazilian driver. « He is my manager, but in his role as team director he does not respect me. He only thinks about money, about all the money he can make wherever he is involved, he is a man without friends. Every day people ask me what is going to happen, so why should I always remain silent? »

« I have to fight against Briatore but also against Alonso, who is a fantastic driver, » continued Piquet. « When I was not competitive in qualifying, I was immediately the first reason for it. But if Briatore doesn’t understand that, what can I do? »

For some time now, rumors have been placing Romain Grosjean in Piquet’s seat in the near future. Although none of the parties involved in the matter have commented on the information, Grosjean, currently second in the GP2 championship, has said he is ready to step into F1.

« This weekend, I focused on the GP2, which was the most important, but we’ll see what happens, » said the Franco-Swiss in Hungary. And about a possible debut in F1 very soon, he responds: « Yes, I think so. If you have a chance, you will say yes. The car is getting much better and I think there are some new updates coming, so it’s a good time for the team. »

Furthermore, the 23-year-old driver made it clear that a few races with Renault in 2009 would be a good asset to secure a full-time seat for 2010.