Grapevine: Piquet Jr Aims to be in F1 by 2007

Nelsinho Piquet, teenage son of three times World Champion Nelson Piquet, plans to be in Formula One by 2007.

"Only if things go really wrong will I do something else. But I don't think about it, never thought about another category," the Brazilian told a joint news conference with his father in Sao Paulo.

"These are going to be my last two years out of Formula One," added the 19-year-old, who makes his debut this season in the new GP2 series that supports Formula One and replaces Formula 3000 at Grand Prix weekends.

"My idea is try and win and then go right to F1. If I win the GP2 championship in the first or second year, the plan is to be in F1 the following season," he said.

Piquet Junior, who last year followed in the footsteps of late compatriot Ayrton Senna by winning the British Formula Three title, will drive alongside Alexandre Negrao for Hitech Piquet Sports.

"He is going to get to F1 if he's the right guy at the right time," said Piquet senior, who said his son first set his sights on Formula One when he started karting as an eight year old.

"It's possible that he wins the championship this year and there's no place available in F1. He's gaining experience."

The 52-year-old former champion owns a share in the GP2 team but does not intend to shepherd his son's career for much longer.

"I've spent 12 years out of Brazil, and now I want to live here," he said. "We have been helping Nelsinho, but when he gets to F1, it's over. He'll be by himself."

Nelsinho has already had a taste of Formula One, testing for Williams in 2003 and 2004 and for BAR this year.

"Regarding tests, there's nothing concrete. BAR is an option, it's a team which is growing and I would have a chance to learn," he said.

"The problem with a small team like Jordan or Minardi is that you can't compete and you don't have many chances to test," he explained.

Both Piquets avoided comparisons of their styles of driving but the father, Champion with Brabham in 1981 and 1983 and Williams in 1987, believes his son is calmer and more focused than he was.

"He doesn't speak garbage, he doesn't take after me in that," he said. "But I think that driving, he's very aggressive and goes well in the wet. He's also much more dedicated than I was and has a clear objective."