Jan.12 (GMM) Nelson Piquet will not return to the formula one grid in 2010, the Brazilian driver announced on Tuesday.

After losing his seat at Renault this year, the 24-year-old become embroiled in the crashgate scandal and later tested NASCAR trucks in America.

Piquet had been linked with 2010 race seats at Campos or Force India, but wrote on his website on Tuesday: "After my first 18 months in F1 did not go as planned I have decided to focus on something different and have chosen to take a route in America."

He confirmed that his American route is with the NASCAR family.

"NASCAR is hugely challenging and nobody has ever come in as an outsider and gone on to win it -- it will be the ultimate challenge. I will let you know more details on the exact programme soon," said Piquet.

He said he may return to Europe in the future to contest Le Mans.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version