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Doornbos to drive Renault, Piquet under pressure?
Topic Started: May 27 2008, 09:53 AM (590 Views)
u4coffee
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Dutchman to demo in Rotterdam, but could he be under consideration for Piquet seat?

It may only be for the annual Bavaria City Racing event on the streets of Rotterdam, and because he is Dutch, but Robert Doornbos' appearance behind the wheel of a Renault F1 car can only heap further pressure on Nelson Piquet Jr.

Doornbos, out of work since Minardi Team USA opted not to join the unified IndyCar Series, has signed up to drive the AC Milan car in the nascent Superleague Formula, but has shown that he would be a useful addition to any F1 team following stints at Jordan, Minardi and Red Bull Racing before heading to the USA.

He has been invited by Renault's Dutch-based sponsor, ING, to demonstrate one of the regie's cars on the streets of his home town during Formula One's summer break, when Bavaria City Racing and the ING RaceSalon again play to the crowds. Doornbos will appear at the ING RaceSalon on Friday and Saturday 15-16 August, and drive during the Bavaria City Racing event on the Sunday.

"It's great that the ING has arranged something like this, it's a first for Dutch F1 history," event organiser Robert Heilbron said, "Every year, Doornbos puts on a great show and he is a hardcore Bavaria City Racing and ING RaceSalon race hero."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/27052008/23/...r-pressure.html
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AndyW76
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To be fair, Piquet hasn't been the revelation that we all thought he would be. Kovi did a much better job last year.
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TheCompleteGuitarist
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This is probably nothing more than a show for the dutch and nothing to do with Piquet's future.

Although he has been given the kiss of death by his employers and by that I mean they have all shown their unwavering support for him.
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AndyW76
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It isn't necessarily all doom and gloom. Barichello has survived the dreaded vote of confidence before.
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Lord Tau
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I heard Sato was a candidate to replace Piquet Jr., should he be fired.
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Brave_Lee_Flea
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AndyW76,May 27 2008
09:58 AM
To be fair, Piquet hasn't been the revelation that we all thought he would be. Kovi did a much better job last year.

Heikki had a pretty slow start to last season if I am not mistaken.

He was in my fantasy team and he was hopeless for the first few races. Piquet has had six races, give him time.
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everythingoes
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Lord Tau,May 27 2008
05:25 PM
I heard Sato was a candidate to replace Piquet Jr., should he be fired.

It will be great fun to see Taku San wind up the petulant one! <roflmao>
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willyshafter
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I think Piquets days maybe numbered watching at the weekend they showed more of his pit radio than anyone else and he was constantly being given the hurry up by the team and told his tyres where alrihgt. Piquet hasn't set the world alight with his debut and for me there are 2 reason for this.

1. He has lost his racers edge while being test driver last year.

2. The return of Alonso has meant he is not getting the support he probably need in his first season.
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willyshafter
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Lord Tau,May 27 2008
11:55 AM
I heard Sato was a candidate to replace Piquet Jr., should he be fired.

Would that be spy gate 2 ?

Honda mole in Renault race seat
<think>
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TheCompleteGuitarist
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Petra Lead,May 27 2008
11:55 AM
AndyW76,May 27 2008
09:58 AM
To be fair, Piquet hasn't been the revelation that we all thought he would be. Kovi did a much better job last year.

Heikki had a pretty slow start to last season if I am not mistaken.

He was in my fantasy team and he was hopeless for the first few races. Piquet has had six races, give him time.

But Heiki spent more time on the track than off it and had a worse car to drive than this years Renault.

I'd say Piquet's main problem is that he thinks he can drive beyond the cars ability, driver skill to make up for lack of car. This is a huge problem with new guys coming into F1. We saw Rosberg do the same and come to no good. Attempting overtaking manouvres that just aren't possible (sadly) in F1.

Piquet's problem is exacerbated by the fact that he told the world he was going to set F1 alight and now he can't.

I'm sure he's not as bad as he's making himself look, and yes I have been critical, but just for the hell of it. I'm having a good laugh at his expense because he's such an arrogant git and because his dad got on the nerves of one of my other F1 heroes.
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Rams
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Petra Lead,May 27 2008
12:55 PM
AndyW76,May 27 2008
09:58 AM
To be fair, Piquet hasn't been the revelation that we all thought he would be. Kovi did a much better job last year.

Heikki had a pretty slow start to last season if I am not mistaken.

He was in my fantasy team and he was hopeless for the first few races. Piquet has had six races, give him time.

He was already beating Fisichella by the Spanish GP, the 4th race of the season. We're now 6 races into this season and Piquet still looks well short of being a worthwhile driver.
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dazzerjp
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TheCompleteGuitarist,May 27 2008
09:06 PM
I'm having a good laugh at his expense because he's such an arrogant git and because his dad got on the nerves of one of my other F1 heroes.

<roflmao>
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TheCompleteGuitarist
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It's not just me.

Wikipedia is certainly kept up to date:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Piquet_Jr.

Quote:
 
During the 2008 season there has been speculation that Piquet will lose his Renault race seat due to a string of generally poor performances throughout the season, spinning off numerous times in races due to errors. The Renault team added fuel to the fire in Monaco, putting out a press release stating that he needed to raise his performance or he would be dropped. He again crashed out of this race, after he and Alonso were the first two to change to dry tyres on a drying track.
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Rob
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I figured as poor as Piquet is doing, Alonso would be looking to get him a raise.
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Red Andy
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Lucas di Grassi is one of Renault's current testers. He could be in line for a race seat if Piquet was to get dropped (more likely than their other tester anyway, one Sakon Yamamoto....)

But I think Piquet will last the season, unless he has a falling-out with Flav (which is what did it for Trulli).
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