Piquet, Nelson, << pee KAY, NEHL suhn >> (1952-…), a Brazilian race car driver, won the world championship in the Grand Prix, or Formula One, class three times, in 1981, 1983, and 1987. In a career that lasted from 1978 until he retired in 1991, Piquet participated in 207 Grand Prix races. He won 23, finished second in another 20, and finished third in 17. He won the pole position 24 times. Piquet drove for six teams during his racing career—Ensign, McLaren, Brabham, Williams, Lotus, and Benetton Ford.
Piquet was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 17, 1952. He began his driving career in local car races. He eventually became Brazilian Formula Super Vee champion. He went on to become British champion in Formula Three races before launching his Grand Prix career in 1978 at Hockenheim, Germany.
