10.06.2004 Nelson Piquet was a special guest last week, the former F1 star joining the drivers of the South American Maserati Trofeo at Interlagos ahead of next month's first round of the new series

Last week, the Maserati Racing Club brought the core group of drivers in the South American Trofeo Maserati together at the Municipal Autodromo José Carlos Pace at Interlagos for a collective practice session.

Alongside them, about 30 guests were also invited to experience the cars at first hand, including one very special personality, the three-times world Formula 1 champion, Nelson Piquet.

Invited by Chico Serra, the Trofeo's racing director, Nelson Piquet did 12 laps on the Interlagos circuit. And he recalled the magical moments of his career as a Formula 1 driver: "I haven't driven a racing car for quite a while... It was all quite different in my day. The gear shift behind the steering wheel is unusual... But it's a fine car. The Trofeo Maserati has got what it takes for success".

The other guests and the Trofeo Maserati technical directors noticed that on the first two or three laps Nelson Piquet took things slowly, instinctively getting to know the car. Then after the first chicane, as always he put his foot right down, just like in the old days.

When asked whether he was watching how the other drivers were doing during the practice session, Piquet's comment was short but to the point: "I didn't overtake anyone, but I wasn't overtaken either during these 12 laps".

While Nelson Piquet was giving us the chance to see him on the circuit, the Trofeo drivers were showing all their enthusiasm. Lico Kaesemodel, Paulo de Tarso, Francisco Mazza, João Adib and Francisco Longo, to name just a few, tried to get full benefit from the collective practice session, an additional opportunity in the build-up to the Curitiba race on 11 July.

And once again, Lico Kaesemodel was the keenest of all, overtaking in thrilling style.