SAO PAULO (AP) — Nelson Piquet Jr. has again criticized Renault's Flavio Briatore after being fired from the Formula One outfit, saying the team principal's only actions as the driver's manager was to retain 20 percent of his salary.
It was the second time Piquet Jr. had spoken out against Briatore since being let go from Renault after failing to achieve a significant result this season.
"A manager, in his view, is someone who takes 20 percent from the drivers' money," Piquet Jr. told the local SporTV channel. "In our view, it would be someone trying their best for a good contract."
Piquet Jr. had blamed Briatore for being responsible for his lack of results, saying the Renault boss favored teammate Fernando Alonso. At the time, he called Briatore his "executioner."
Piquet Jr., son of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, said Briatore remains his manager because of contractual obligations, but wasn't hopeful of getting any help from him finding another team in 2010.
"Flavio never wanted to be in the role of finding a ride for me in F1, nor will he try," Piquet Jr. said.
Piquet Jr. said he has been talking to some of the new teams expected to debut next year, but is not close to reaching a deal.
The Brazilian's highest placing in 28 races was finishing second at the German Grand Prix in 2008. He earned 19 points — none this season — and his highest starting position was seventh.
