May 11 (GMM) Flavio Briatore has vowed to "help" rather than immediately sack Renault's struggling Nelson Piquet.
Intense speculation has surrounded the future of the 23-year-old Brazilian, including rumours in Barcelona last weekend that Piquet could be ousted as soon as the forthcoming British grand prix to make room for reserve driver Romain Grosjean.
But in interview with Spain's Diario Sport, team boss Briatore said Piquet is being given time to prove himself now that the season has begun on the more familiar European circuits.
"He is a good teammate for Fernando (Alonso) and has always been very loyal to him," the Italian said.
"He is experiencing a difficult moment, but when someone is having trouble you help him, not kill him. We have to give him some room for the European races," added Briatore.
Briatore also did not want to address rising speculation that, given Kimi Raikkonen's struggles, Alonso is now being tipped by the Italian media to restore Ferrari's fortunes perhaps as soon as 2010.
"I do not talk about these issues because I have others to solve. These decisions are for another time," he said.
Written: Tue, 12 May 2009 08:45:12
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- January 13, 2010Piquet to NASCAR for 2010
- November 02, 2009Piquet to Campos?
- October 18, 2009Piquet a race seat option for 2010
- September 23, 2009Piquet may seek race drive in America
- September 21, 2009Two Year Suspended Ban for Renault
- September 18, 2009Whiting told of Piquet plot last year
- September 15, 2009Was Alonso in on the plot?
- September 11, 2009Piquet evidence leaks 'serious' - FIA
- September 11, 2009Mosley offers Piquet immunity
- September 11, 2009Piquet statement emerges
- (May 12, 2009)View all headlines from this date
