Bernie chooses Piquet

Nelson Piquet made his Formula One debut for Ensign at the 1978 German Grand Prix, where he retired with a broken engine. He then negotiated a deal with BS Fabrications for the next three races in an old McLaren, where he left a good impression. His best finish was ninth in Italy.

Bernie Ecclestone had noticed the 1978 British Formula 3 champion’s impressive progression, and took him on board of his Brabham team for the last race of the season in Canada. A deal was quickly struck for the 1979 season, Bernie and Nelson getting on very well. At the time, the Brazilian didn’t expect the partnership to last till 1985.

In 1979, Piquet competed in his first full season in Formula One. He drove for the Brabham team, alongside double world champion Niki Lauda. The Alfa Romeo engine they used was not reliable, and Piquet retired from eleven of the fifteen races in the season. The first points of his career came at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he finished fourth, after a fine drive. Although the car broke down more often than not, he performed well, qualifying in the top 5 several times – often out-qualifying Lauda.

Two weeks after Monza, Lauda, ‘tired of driving in circles’ abruptly decided to retire from racing, during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix, leaving Piquet as the number one driver for the Brabham team, who had ditched the Alfa Romeo engine for the excellent Cosworth DFV, that was fitted in the new BT49.

Good decision, in the final race, the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, Piquet started from the front row and took fastest lap in the race (but was forced to retire), clearly showing his and the new Gordon Murray-designed B49 considerable potential. In this positive context, the first race wins was soon going to come Piquet’s way: during the 1980 season.