Time to deliver for Nelson Piquet

His talent has been questioned, so Renault's Nelson Piquet needs to up his game in 2009 to prove he is nobody's fool.

Consider this: you are a rookie F1 driver, under immense pressure. You've had a poor season. As well as an indifferent car, you've had very little testing and, worst of all, you're being directly compared to the formidable double world champion on the other side of the garage. A driver that the team is in love with, whose every word they hang on, who has been here on and off for many years. You're a bright guy who knows it's a ruthless business. You realise that you're fighting for your very career - and it's not been going well.

This is a team attuned to success and the people here are hardened professionals with no time for excuses. The team boss is not the arm around the shoulder type either; you know he'll ruthlessly plug in another bright young hope if things don't improve. In fact, there's one now, hanging around the garage, just aching for his chance to take your seat – just as you did when that Heikki Kovalainen guy was struggling.

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