Grapevine: Piquet Turned Down BMW Job

Three-time World Champion Nelson Piquet has revealed he turned down the job of BMW sporting director before the post was offered to former racer Gerhard Berger and said he is not interested in making a return to Formula One.

Piquet, who won his world titles in 1981 and 1983 for Bernie Ecclestone's Brabham team and again in 1987 for Williams, said he had put Formula One behind him to concentrate on his business back home in Brazil.

"I had the same chance as (Gerhard) Berger," said Piquet. "Before they asked him, they asked me to stay one year in Germany to learn German and stay there and do the same job. But I said no.

"I want to stay in Brazil and do my work. I found a very good work there, I have a very good, big company and I'm very happy there. I'm not interested (in Formula One).

"I have a satellite communications system in Brazil, things are running very well, I have more than 650 employees all over Brazil, I'm travelling a lot. I'm also richer now than I was in Formula One - it's much better now!"

Piquet retired from Formula One at the end of 1991 and attempted to carry on his career in America's CART series before a massive crash at the Indianapolis oval in 1992 made him quit professional racing altogether.

Piquet's only role in motor racing now is to oversee his own team, Piquet Sports, that has relocated in Britain to run his 17-year-old son Nelson Piquet Junior in the British Formula Three Championship.

"I stopped racing because I wanted to go back home," he said. "I'd had enough. I think there is a time for everything. Actually, I don't enjoy any more the speed so much. I prefer to fly these days, not drive."