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Nelson Piquet Souto Maior, known as Nelson Piquet, is a Brazilian former racing driver and businessman born on 17 August 1952 in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital of Brazil. He is the son of Estácio Gonçalves Souto Maior, a physician. His father moved his family to the new capital, Brasília, in 1960 and became Minister for Health in João Goulart’s government. Piquet had two brothers, Alexis, and Geraldo, and a sister Genusa. Piquet was the youngest of the children. Since his retirement, Piquet, a three-time World Champion, has been ranked among the greatest Formula One drivers in various motorsport polls.

His father wanted Piquet to be a professional tennis player and was given a scholarship at a school in Atlanta. Piquet started playing tennis at the age of 11. He won tournaments in Brazil and eventually took a trip to California to test his skill against tougher American players. His short tennis career saw Piquet to be prized as a good player but not thought sufficiently exciting for the sport, which led him to devote his career to motor racing. Piquet dropped out of a University two years into an engineering course in 1974. He was subsequently employed in a garage to finance his career, since he had no financial support from his family.

Nelson Piquet before F1

Piquet started kart racing at the age of 14, but because his father did not approve of his racing career, he used his mother’s maiden name Piquet. Upon returning to Brazil after dropping out of a University two years into an engineering course, Piquet and three friends brought a 20 hp cart and participated in Brazilian go-karting (1971 and 1972 national champion) and in the local Formula Super Vee 1976 championship.

Piquet did that on the advice of Emerson Fittipaldi, the first Brazilian Formula One world champion who sold the chassis for the Brazilian Formula Vee champion car with his brother; he arrived in European motorsports hailed as a prodigy. In the 1978 British Formula 3 season he broke Jackie Stewart’s record of the most wins in a season.

F1 Debut and Team

Piquet made his Formula One debut for Ensign in Germany, starting 21st only to retire on lap 31 with a broken engine. After the race, Piquet drove a McLaren of BS Fabrications in the next three races, where he left good impressions. The deal was negotiated when BS Fabrications employees met Piquet when he was driving at Brands Hatch. His best finish was ninth in Italy. For the last race in 1978, Piquet moved to the Brabham team; he qualified in 14th and finished 11th. Piquet stayed with Brabham until 1985. In 1979, Piquet competed in his first full season in Formula One. He once again drove for the Brabham team, alongside double world champion, Niki Lauda.

Formula 1 Career Stats

Read more: Who is Max Verstappen’s Girlfriend ? Know all about Kelly Piquet

Nelson Piquet Net Worth

Nelson Piquet has a net worth of $200 million as of 2022, he is a former racing driver and businessman. Since his retirement, Piquet, a three-time World Champion, has been ranked among the greatest Formula One drivers in various motorsport polls. His current source of wealth is from his own founded company; Autotrac. Nelson is one of the richest Race Car Drivers & listed as the most popular Race Car Driver.

Who is Nelson Piquet’s Wife

Piquet’s first marriage was with Brazilian Maria Clara in 1976 and lasted one year. They have one son, Geraldo Piquet. His second marriage to the Dutchwoman Sylvia Tamsma they produced three children, Nelson Angelo Piquet, Kelly Piquet and Julia Piquet. Laszlo Piquet was born in 1987, but his mother is Katherine Valentin (Piquet’s girlfriend while he was temporarily separated from Sylvia). He is currently married to Brazilian Vivianne de Souza Leão and they have two children, Pedro Estacio Piquet and Marco Piquet.

Brand Endorsements

Piquet Kart
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Orlebar Brown
Marcelo Canalli
Autotrac
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