THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Struggling Nelson Piquet Jr. acknowledged Thursday that he faces an uncertain future with Renault, and could be forced out before the end of the Formula One season.
The Brazilian driver is under pressure after failing to pick up a point through nine races. Piquet Jr.’s best finish this season was 10th at the German Grand Prix, which has led to reports he may be fired.
"No, it is not 100 per cent settled for the rest" of the season, Piquet Jr. said Thursday from the Hungarian GP. "That is why I am going to do my job and let my (agent) do the rest."
Sebastien Bourdais was fired by Toro Rosso shortly after the race at the Nuerburgring, which only increased speculation about Piquet Jr.
"The problem is that these days a contract in F1 doesn’t mean much, and we have seen several cases already of drivers and teams breaking contracts, and it just stays that way," said Piquet Jr., who will turn 24 on Saturday. "So, the only thing I can do is drive, do my best."
Piquet Jr. said he has adapted to driving under the shadow of teammate Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion.
"I have been facing this kind of situation since last year," Piquet Jr. said. "It is not something new for me."
Piquet Jr. said that defending F1 champion Lewis Hamilton had it tougher in his rookie campaign when the Briton openly sparred with Alonso, who then left McLaren after just one season.
"I would say dealing like Lewis was at the end of his first season — fighting for the championship — that must have been even harder than what I am going through," Piquet Jr. said. "Lewis must have been through much more stress than I am at the moment. You need to know how to deal with these kind of things."