Nelson Piquet junior says he plans to be in Formula One within the next two years. The teenage son of three times world champion Nelson Piquet, who won the British Formula Three title last year, says only a disaster will prevent him from moving up to F1.
"These are going to be my last two years out of Formula One," added the 19-year-old, who makes his debut this season in the new GP2 series that supports Formula One and replaces Formula 3000 at grand prix weekends.
"My idea is try and win and then go right to F1. If I win the GP2 championship in the first or second year, the plan is to be in F1 the following season," he said.
His father added: "He is going to get to F1 if he's the right guy at the right time. It's possible that he wins the championship this year and there's no place available in F1. He's gaining experience." The 52-year-old former champion owns a share in the GP2 team but does not intend to shepherd his son's career for much longer.
"I've spent 12 years out of Brazil, and now I want to live here," he said. "We have been helping Nelsinho, but when he gets to F1, it's over. He'll be by himself."
Nelsinho has already tested for Williams in 2003 and 2004 and for BAR this year and despite having nothing concrete just yet, Piquet senior is reluctant to opt for the grid's minnows as an alternative.
"Regarding tests, there's nothing concrete. BAR is an option, it's a team which is growing and I would have a chance to learn," he said. "The problem with a small team like Jordan or Minardi is that you can't compete and you don't have many chances to test," he explained. |