Nelsinho needs positive encouragement from his team - Piquet Sr.

Nelson Piquet Jr.'s relationship with Renault boss Flavio Briatore can be questionable, since the Italian can be very honest about what he feels regarding his driver's performance. But Nelson Piquet Senior feels that Briatore should provide a more encouraging environment for the young Brazilian, much like he did after the Bahraini race where Piquet Jr. finished tenth.

"I said to Flavio that he will only get the maximum from Nelson if he gives him cover. If the engineers are roaring on the radio that he is driving badly because he lost his first quail-lap in traffic, then how can a driver develop confidence?", Piquet Sr. shared with Germany's 'Auto Motor und Sport'.

"Too often he has to drive in practice with a lot of fuel in the tank," he added. "The team knows that his problems are with lower fuel so they should let him drive more often in qualifying trim."

Finishing off proudly, "In Barcelona he will do even better than Bahrain. Nelsinho knows now that he can do it."