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Khatir Soltani
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F1: Will Renault replace Piquet with Di Grassi?

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Rookie Formula 1 driver, Brazilian Nelson Piquet, has not done sparkles this season behind the wheel of the Renault F1 car. With the exception of a "lucky" second-place finish in Hockenheim, Piquet has consistently been slower than his teammate Fernando Alonso, scoring points only three times.

Nelson Piquet - Singapore Grand Prix

The team tested their two test drivers, Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean at Jerez a few weeks ago. Both drivers are part of the Renault Development Driver programme. It emerged that Di Grassi - also a Brazilian like Piquet - is now the leading contender to replace his fellow Brazilian next year.

The decision to drop Piquet hasn't been taken yet, but Nelson Jr. did not help his cause when he crashed out of the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend - although ironically his error played a key part in helping Alonso triumph.

Team Renault boss Flavio Briatore is currently considering what to do about his 2009 driver line-up, although any final decision does depend on whether Alonso decides the stay with the team.
photo:Renault