Lucas di Grassi: Piquet's crash damaged my career

Lucas di Grassi: Piquet's crash damaged my career

      Former Formula 1 driver Lucas di Grassi of Brazil, now competing in Formula E, said in an interview with Racingnews365 that Nelsinho Piquet's deliberate crash in Singapore '08 negatively affected his career.

      He was then Renault's reserve driver and was hoping to take Piquet's seat, but Nelsinho, by agreeing to stage the crash, temporarily saved himself from being sacked.

      Lucas di Grassi: "Piquet's crash damaged my career. I was Renault's reserve driver and hoped to take Nelson's seat, who by that time was practically fired — I was next in line for that seat.

      But after Singapore they renewed Piquet's contract, and my career came to a standstill. Maybe I should sue as well, but I will never do that.

      If it weren't for Piquet's crash, my career could have turned out very differently. I could have driven for Renault, not Virgin, could have scored points — that would have changed my life, including financially.

      Did I think at the time that he deliberately crashed the car? I had suspicions, but no proof. I only learned the whole truth when it became known."

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Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1, has announced a significant change in leadership, as long-serving chairman John C. Malone will resign from the board at the end of this year. Malone, the founder of Liberty Media who oversaw the company’s acquisition of Formula 1 in 2017, will take on the role of Chairman Emeritus starting January 1, 2026, as confirmed by the company in a statement. He will be succeeded by Robert R. "Dob" Bennett, the current vice chairman of Liberty and one of its founding members, who has played a crucial role in key strategic decisions for over thirty years. 

"Founding Liberty Media and serving as its Chairman has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career," Malone, who is 84, stated. "With our portfolio successfully simplified and our operating businesses in strong positions, I think it’s the right moment to step back." 

Malone continues to be one of Liberty’s largest shareholders, possessing nearly half of the voting power in Formula 1's trading stocks. Bloomberg estimates his personal net worth to be over $10 billion. "It's the right moment to take a step back." Liberty Media, the parent company of Formula 1, has announced a significant change in leadership, as long-serving chairman John C. Malone will resign from the board at the end of this year. Malone, the founder of Liberty Media who oversaw the company’s acquisition of Formula 1 in 2017, will take on the role of Chairman Emeritus starting January 1, 2026, as confirmed by the company in a statement. He will be succeeded by Robert R. "Dob" Bennett, the current vice chairman of Liberty and one of its founding members, who has played a crucial role in key strategic decisions for over thirty years. "Founding Liberty Media and serving as its Chairman has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career," Malone, who is 84, stated. "With our portfolio successfully simplified and our operating businesses in strong positions, I think it’s the right moment to step back." Malone continues to be one of Liberty’s largest shareholders, possessing nearly half of the voting power in Formula 1's trading stocks. Bloomberg estimates his personal net worth to be over $10 billion. Formula 1 | On the occasion of Bernie Ecclestone's 95th birthday, the former head of Formula 1 remarks that at this point in his life, only one person still meets the criteria (...)

Lucas di Grassi: Piquet's crash damaged my career

C said that Nelsinho Piquet's deliberate crash in Singapore in 2008 negatively affected his career...