Lucas di Grassi: Piquet's crash damaged my career

      Former Formula 1 driver Lucas di Grassi of Brazil, now competing in Formula E, said in an interview with Racingnews365 that Nelsinho Piquet's deliberate crash in Singapore '08 negatively affected his career.

      He was then Renault's reserve driver and was hoping to take Piquet's seat, but Nelsinho, by agreeing to stage the crash, temporarily saved himself from being sacked.

      Lucas di Grassi: "Piquet's crash damaged my career. I was Renault's reserve driver and hoped to take Nelson's seat, who by that time was practically fired — I was next in line for that seat.

      But after Singapore they renewed Piquet's contract, and my career came to a standstill. Maybe I should sue as well, but I will never do that.

      If it weren't for Piquet's crash, my career could have turned out very differently. I could have driven for Renault, not Virgin, could have scored points — that would have changed my life, including financially.

      Did I think at the time that he deliberately crashed the car? I had suspicions, but no proof. I only learned the whole truth when it became known."