Piquet Fears Grosjean Could Take His Place

Brazilian Nelson Piquet fears French driver Romain Grosjean could replace him at the Renault Formula One team next season.

"I think Renault are in need, it's been a few years since they don't have a French driver," he told a news conference on Wednesday.

"There's a driver from Renault's Driver Development Programme, Grosjean, who had a reasonably good year in GP2. There is this pressure from the (Renault) president," added the 23-year-old.

"But at the end it's going to be a decision from the whole team, from (team boss) Flavio (Briatore), from everybody. For me, actually, it's only a matter of waiting".

Piquet, whose namesake father was a triple world champion, made his Formula One debut this season and is currently 12th in the championship with 19 points.

His team mate, double world champion Fernando Alonso, has won two races this year and is sixth with 53 points going into the season-ender at Interlagos.

The Spaniard is expected to stay with Renault next year but has yet to confirm his decision, which could also affect Piquet's future.

Asked about a possible move to Honda, who have yet to confirm their 2009 lineup with the future of Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello and Briton Jenson Button still undecided, Piquet was evasive.

"There's always discussions. Paddocks are not very big, we talk. Everyone knows what everyone is doing. Everyone is waiting for the other's decision".

Grosjean, who is Swiss-born but competes under a French licence, is 22 years old. He made his Formula One test debut with Renault in June and has been tipped by former champion Alain Prost as a future talent.

Piquet said his aim at the start of the season was to finish among the top six but he changed that to the top 10 when it became apparent that the car was more of a handful than expected.

"It wasn't a dream year, it's hard -- it was a year of learning," he said. "I'm doing the best I can, I improved at the last few races."