Jan.19 (GMM) Nelson Piquet has revealed he turned down an offer to stay in formula one this year.

After last year losing his Renault seat and becoming embroiled in the crashgate scandal, the 24-year-old will switch to NASCAR's truck series in 2010.

After another test in Florida late last week, Piquet confirmed that he decided to move away from F1.

"I could've been there (F1) if I wanted to," said the Brazilian, who was earlier linked with the new Spanish team Campos. "A team offered me to be there," he added.

"I just thought I was sick and tired of all of the stuff over there."

Piquet insists that switching to NASCAR is not a downwards step.

"For people that really understand - maybe it's a downgrade in technology of the car - but in terms of career, of how big the sport is in a lot of ways it's even a tougher step than F1," he said.

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