Nelson Piquet

Nelson Piquet Souto Maior (born 17 August 1952) is a Brazilian former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1978 to 1991, winning three World Drivers' Championships (1981, 1983, 1987) and 23 Grand Prix victories across 14 seasons while establishing himself as one of Brazil's greatest racing drivers and one of the 1980s' dominant champions. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Piquet won Brazilian national karting championships in 1971 and 1972 before first champion Emerson Fittipaldi advised him to race in Europe. In British Formula 3 in 1978, Piquet dominated, winning the majority of races and earning Formula One opportunities. He received outings with Ensign and a privately entered McLaren before Brabham boss Bernie Ecclestone hired him as understudy to Niki Lauda for 1979.

After finishing runner-up in 1980, Piquet won his first World Championship in 1981, clinching the title by one point over Carlos Reutemann at the season finale in Las Vegas. The 1982 season brought severe engine unreliability that hampered his championship defense, but Piquet resurged for 1983, winning his second championship when Williams driver Keke Rosberg struggled in Nevada—fifth place secured Piquet's title by one point. Piquet remained with Brabham through 1985, winning races but unable to mount sustained championship challenges as turbo-era competitiveness increased. Frank Williams offered to triple Piquet's Brabham salary, bringing him to Williams for 1986 where he partnered Nigel Mansell.

Piquet was a title contender until the final round in Australia, narrowly missing the championship. The 1987 season brought Piquet's third and final championship during a heated battle with teammate Mansell that left their relationship sour—team politics and internal rivalry defined Williams's season, with Piquet ultimately prevailing. After Lotus (1988-89) brought his third career drop in form, Piquet moved to Benetton for 1990-91, winning three races including the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix and 1991 Canadian Grand Prix before retiring at age 39. His 23 Grand Prix wins, 24 pole positions, 23 fastest laps, and 60 podiums across 204 starts established him among Formula One's all-time greats.

Known for psychological games and political maneuvering within teams, Piquet was simultaneously one of the fastest drivers of his generation and one of its most controversial, capable of brilliant speed but also ruthless in pursuing championships through any means necessary. His three World Championships place him among Brazil's greatest sporting heroes alongside Senna and Fittipaldi.