Why Does Everyone Seem to Hate Piquet?

[Absolutelee]

So in reading threads here I have noticed that a lot of people seem to dislike Piquet, and even say he wasn't a good driver. Now, I discovered F1 only a few years ago, but I read a lot, and from what I have read it seems that the main negative about Piquet is that he was an A$$. So this probably explains why people hate him, but why is his driving ability questioned? He's a triple world champion. Is it because he is primarily remembered for his, lets call it a fall from grace, in the latter part of his career? Or because his abrasive personality overshadows his accomplishments on the track so much?

[dren]

Because of Piquet Jr. maybe?

[wesley123]

from what I know, he was a bit arrogant, and much of an ass. While I dont know if that is true or not, most recently people hate the name because of the shame Piquet Jr. bought over Formula 1, and still does every time he mentions it.

[Just_a_fan]

He was an arrogant ass who spent way too much time insulting people. He was quick, no doubt about that, but he was not a pleasant person.

As Piquet slid out of the limelight, so the mischievous - some would say unpleasant - side to his character came to the fore.

He notoriously called Mansell "an uneducated blockhead with a stupid and ugly wife" and referred to Senna disparagingly as "the Sao Paulo taxi driver", as well as making derogatory comments about his private life.

The remarks served no purpose other than to diminish further Piquet's reputation. It escaped no-one that he was making these remarks about men who had by then established themselves as better drivers than him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17871420

[Absolutelee]

Seems to be another case of a crappy personality overshadowing other accomplishments. Which, to me, seems sad.

[jdlive]

"The Sao Paolo taxi driver" lmao

[mnmracer]

Seems to be another case of a crappy personality overshadowing other accomplishments. Which, to me, seems sad.

Might explain why Alonso's trying to appeal to the/his (and Hamilton's) fans.

[Belatti]

I have always disliked him, since I began knowing and reading about F1 at the age of 12 more or less. I really dont know specifically why!

[feni_remmen]

Nelson seemed to be a little to abrasive, especially as he gradually faded from the front and yet continued to drive for teams and talk openly about his feelings, for good or bad. At times he didn't take things too seriously and tended to take the piss out of the other drivers, sometimes with malice and other times with good nature and fun. I suspect that much of the dislike for Nelson comes from his public feuds with the English & Brazilian heros of the late 80's, Mansell and Senna. His inter-team battle with Nigel, where he was portrayed the wise old schemer left him appearing to be the slower of the two, while his rivalry with Senna saw him regarded as slower and less brave. In these circumstances, the public tend to polarise toward one character or the other, and it seems likely that the general public appreciated the apparent speed of Senna and Mansell, rather than Piquet's more obscure strengths... I haven't read much about this, but I'd be interested to hear what Rory Byrne, Patrick Head, Frank Dernie, Gordon Murray and others think of him.

[Pierce89]

Seems to be another case of a crappy personality overshadowing other accomplishments. Which, to me, seems sad.

Might explain why Alonso's trying to appeal to the/his (and Hamilton's) fans.

you make no sense

[vinnie]

I am a brazilian piquet's fan so, maybe I trend to protect him. On the other hand I am very well informed about the whole history.
Piquet was an ancient talkative version of Kimi. He hate midia and marketing and is a very strategic driver (a talent stronger tahn his driving ability - in opposition of one of his rivals: mansell) - thus he needed peace to plan his races. Brazilian press was always stocking him trying to make him a hero, however dislike Fittipaldi he is NOT a gentleman. He is very honest and trustworth, so it is very usual for him to shot answers as: "I made --- while steering". He said that for instance when he hits indianapolis wall. Later when Senna appeared behaving like a hero as the midia would enjoy the pressure over him increased with lot of comparisons. His response was to became even more impolite. Piquet Jr got his father honesty, although he is much more concerned about being kind to press. Most of Piquet's "bad quotes" were politically incorrect jokes with main purpose of bother his rivals and mess-up their concentration. Nevertheless what he said use to be considered by the target. After he suggested Senna to be homosexual the golden boy started to be pictured in companion of girlfriends, Mansell, however, never exchanged his wife
Just to mention his driving qualities: He was a few less talented than Senna, a few less perfect than Prost, a few less tactical than Schummi, a few less strategical than Ross Brown and probably the best ever car developer (driver). Perhaps the current driver closer to his attributes is Alonso (except the trash talking and better in several items).

[Sombrero]

I agree with vinnie's comment, but Alonso remains me more Emmo than Piquet. I don't think that Fernando is a better driver than Nelson too.

[Tommy Cookers]

he was a gentleman on the track
after years of being underpaid (on a long contract) in Mr Ecclestones team he became more money-focussed
in one season later on he was paid only/mainly on points scored, at $100,000 / point (he scored 47 points!)