SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) _ It seems you need more than three
Formula One titles to be considered a good driver in Brazil.
Former race car driver Nelson Piquet _ Formula One champion in
1981, '83 and '87 _ is being forced to undergo an intensive driving
course after losing his license because of speeding and parking
tickets.
The 54-year-old Piquet and his wife, Viviane, both exceeded the
limit of fines allowed by Brazilian law and must complete an
eight-day, 30-hour intensive course in order to regain their
driver's licenses.
``There are several different speeds in several different
roads,'' Piquet told Globo TV. ``Sometimes you don't pay attention
and you break the speed limit _ and you can lose your driver's
license in a very fast way.''
Piquet, whose 21-year-old son is a test driver for the Renault F1
team, is expected to finish his mandatory awareness course by the
end of the week.
Despite the hassle, the former champion said the course is
necessary.
``I have my driver's license for over 40 years and I have driven
in several countries, but this thing that Brazil is doing, I believe
it's the right thing,'' he said.
