Nelson Piquet Jr. announces racing return in NASCAR Euro Series

Former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. will make his return to European competition this season, joining Alumitec Racing in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. The 40-year-old Brazilian will drive the #48 Ford Mustang for the French team, marking his first full-season campaign in Europe since 2024.

Why it matters:

Piquet's return adds a high-profile name with a complex legacy to a growing European stock car series. His involvement brings mainstream F1 recognition to Euro NASCAR and highlights the series' appeal to drivers seeking competitive, high-level racing outside the traditional single-seater ladder.

The details:

• Piquet will drive for Alumitec Racing, a team he described as having "strong performance and determination" and being "fully committed to winning."
• His last European campaign was in 2024, driving an LMP2 car in the European Le Mans Series.
• The Brazilian has remained active in South American racing series throughout 2025 and 2026.
• Piquet's career trajectory has been unconventional since his F1 exit, encompassing NASCAR's national series in the U.S. and multiple seasons in Formula E.

Looking ahead:

The move represents a fresh chapter for Piquet in a fiercely competitive, contact-heavy racing discipline. Success in the Euro Series could redefine the latter stage of his career, shifting the narrative away from his controversial F1 past. For the series, securing a driver of his notoriety and experience is a significant coup for visibility and credibility.