Former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. is heading back to NASCAR. The 40-year-old Brazilian will race full-time in the 2026 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season, marking his return to stock car racing after nearly a decade away from NASCAR-sanctioned machinery.
Nelson Piquet Jr. Joins Alumitec Racing for 2026 NASCAR Euro Series Title Push
Alumitec Racing finished second in the EuroNASCAR PRO driver standings in 2025 with Gianmarco Ercoli behind the wheel. The team is no stranger to competing at the front, and Piquet joining its lineup signals clear ambition for a title push in 2026. The move reflects his intent to win during his return to the NASCAR Euro Series.
“Former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr will race full-time in the NASCAR Euro Series in 2026,” confirmed The Daily Downforce.
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Piquet first made a mark on the global stage at Brands Hatch in 2005, where he won the inaugural A1 Grand Prix sprint and feature races while representing A1 Team Brazil. He went on to race in Formula One with Renault in 2008 and 2009 before carving out a career in American racing.
Piquet also cemented himself as one of the most versatile racing professionals of his generation by winning the inaugural Formula E drivers’ championship in the 2014–15 season. Now, he returns to NASCAR in the PRO class, the premier category of the NASCAR Euro Series, after nearly a decade away from the sport.
Alumitec is coming off a strong 2025 campaign where driver Gianmarco Ercoli finished second in the championship standings with 496 points. Team Principal and CEO Alain Lord Mounir made clear the team’s intentions for 2026.
“Last year we finished second in the championship. This year we are putting every effort, every resource, and every piece of energy into winning it,” said Mounir. “Nelson’s experience in Formula E, NASCAR, and international racing makes him a perfect fit for our program. Together with Gianmarco Ercoli, we have a driver lineup capable of fighting for the championship.”
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Piquet said, “I’m very excited to join Alumitec Racing. Competing in Europe has always been a meaningful challenge for me, and the NASCAR Euro Series brings together a level of competition that genuinely excites me.”
“The team has shown strong performance and determination, and it’s clear they are fully committed to winning. I’m looking forward to working with everyone and fighting for victories and the championship this season,” he said.
The 2026 NASCAR Euro Series season features seven race weekends across seven different countries. The season opens on April 18 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Spain. It then visits Brands Hatch in England for the American SpeedFest event on June 6 and 7, a circuit where Piquet’s motorsport legacy began over 20 years ago. The campaign wraps up on Oct. 18 at Circuit Zolder in Belgium.
