Nelson Piquet – one of F1’s most formidable champions
After giving up on a promising tennis career, Piquet followed Emerson Fittipaldi’s advice and pursued his F1 dream in Europe, making his starts with Ensign and McLaren before joining Brabham in 1979. Under the ownership of Bernie Ecclestone and management of Herbie Blash, Piquet showcased his prodigious speed and innovation alongside Gordon Murray-designed cars. In 1981, he won his first World Championship by defeating Carlos Reutemann in a thrilling title decider. Piquet’s dedication and passion in those early days at Brabham were praised by Murray, who described their relationship as more than just a team, but a family. Following two championship wins with Brabham, Piquet reflected on the fantastic seven-year journey and emphasized the importance of learning and working with a team. In 1984, despite equaling the F1 record for pole positions, Piquet faced challenges with turbocharger failures and finished fifth in the championship, which continued into 1985 with limited success on Pirelli tires.
