Planet-F1

Nelsinho downplays German podium

Monday 21st July 2008

Nelson Piquet Jr has downplayed his chances of a follow-up podium finish at the next race in Hungary, conceding he still has a long way to go.

The Brazilian, who started the German GP 17th on the grid, finished in second place after a Safety Car period played into his one-stop strategy.

Piquet, though, has downplayed the result, saying it won't spell the end of a difficult start to his F1 career.

"It's still difficult for me," he said. "I'm not saying that in Hungary, the next race, you should expect me on the podium. I don't think it would be like that.

"We're getting there slowly, slowly and having some difficulties sometimes: Qualifying, with the tyres, I'm not getting used to them very easily.

"Getting a podium is great, it helps the confidence, good for the team, to push them up a bit but we still need to improve a lot. I certainly need to improve, the car still needs to improve."