Nelson Ângelo Tamsma Piquet Souto Maior, widely known as Nelson Piquet Jr. or Nelsinho Piquet, was born on July 25, 1985, in Brazil. He is a talented racing automobile driver who has made his mark in various motorsport disciplines, including Formula One, Formula E, and stock car racing. Currently, he competes full-time in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series, driving the No. 33 Toyota Corolla E210 for Motul TMG Racing.
Piquet's racing career began to gain prominence when he was signed as a test driver for the Renault Formula One team in 2007. He was promoted to the race team in 2008, but his time in Formula One was marred by controversy. During the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, he was instructed by senior team members to deliberately crash, which ultimately aided his teammate Fernando Alonso in securing victory. This incident led to a significant scandal in motorsport history and effectively ended Piquet Jr.'s Formula One career midway through the 2009 season.
Despite the challenges he faced in Formula One, Piquet has continued to excel in other racing formats. He finished as the runner-up in the 2006 GP2 Series and achieved notable placements in various championships, including fourth in the 2014 Global RallyCross Championship and seventh in the 2012 NASCAR Truck Series. Additionally, he has participated in the European Le Mans Series, racing an ORECA 07 in the LMP2 Pro/Am class for Team Virage.
As the son of three-time Formula One world champion Nelson Piquet, he carries a legacy in the world of motorsport. His journey reflects both the highs and lows of a racing career, showcasing his resilience and passion for the sport.