• Crashgate fallout

No Formula One return for Piquet Jnr

ESPNF1 Staff
January 12, 2010 « GP2 test not huge advantage for Schumacher | »
Nelson Piquet Jnr will race in NASCAR in 2010 © Sutton Images
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Nelson Piquet Jnr, whose racing future has been up in the air as a result of the Crashgate scandal, has announced he will compete in the American NASCAR championship in 2010.

"I've spent the last few months carefully evaluating my options for this year," he wrote on his personal website. "I had to choose a path and it was a difficult decision to make. Being successful in Formula One was always my goal but I've learnt that happiness is just as important as ambition.

"After my first 18 months in F1 did not go as planned I've decided to focus on something different and have chosen to take a route in America. NASCAR is hugely challenging and nobody has ever come in as an outsider before and gone on to win it."

Although he said he was sad to leave Europe and all his friends, he felt he had to take a new "healthy challenge".

"I've found a good group of people that are really willing to help me in my career and I'm grateful that they are there for me. I think it will be a positive environment and a good life experience. I'm sure this year is going to be fantastic and I'm very excited at the prospect of my future."

Last October Piquet tested a Toyota Tundra with Red Horse Racing, which competes in the NASCAR world truck series. He said that an announcement of his exact programme would follow shortly.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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