Alumitec Racing signed Nelson Piquet Jr. for the NASCAR Euro Series V8GP season – The Brazilian star has great experience in NASCAR racing and aims to win the title
- Former F1 driver, Formula E World Champion and NASCAR driver Nelson Piquet Jr. joins the NASCAR Euro Series V8GP season
- The Brazilian will race for the French powerhouse Alumitec Racing
- The 40-year-old aims to win the title and fight for wins from the first race on
The championship landscape of the official NASCAR series in Europe shifted significantly today with the blockbuster announcement that Nelson Piquet Jr. will join the powerhouse Alumitec Racing stable for the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series V8GP championship, the brand new evolution of the PRO division. After a relentless 2025 campaign that saw the organization fall just one spot short of the ultimate prize, Alumitec is doubling down on its title ambitions by bringing one of the most versatile names in global motorsport back to his high-horsepower roots.
A former Formula 1 driver and Formula E World Champion, Piquet Jr. enters the garage with a pedigree that also resonates deeply with fans of the American style of racing. During his tenure in the United States, the Brazilian standout proved he could hang with the best in the business, recording a historic resume across the NASCAR national series. His 2012 season remains a benchmark for international competitors, as he captured a statement victory at the legendary Road America in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and secured two checkered flags in the Craftsman Truck Series at Michigan and Las Vegas. With 28 top-10 finishes in the Truck Series and a top-10 points finish in 2012, Piquet Jr. demonstrated the grit and fender-banging mentality required to succeed in NASCAR machinery.
Beyond his success on the ovals and road courses of North America, Piquet Jr. arrives with the prestige of a world champion. He etched his name in the history books as the inaugural FIA Formula E World Champion in 2015, showcasing a rare ability to master cutting-edge technology and tight street circuits. His diverse career spans the pinnacle of the sport in Formula 1 and several years of elite touring car competition in South America, creating a profile of a driver who can adapt to any environment and find the limit of any car he pilots.
For Alumitec Racing, the signing represents a crucial piece of a championship puzzle. Team Principal and CEO Alain Lord Mounir has made it clear that the French organization is not satisfied with second place and has committed every available resource to ensuring the #48 Ford Mustang is the car to beat.
“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 Alain Lord 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.”
Piquet Jr. echoed that sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm about returning to a format that demands aggressive racecraft and tactical precision. The move marks a homecoming of sorts to the style of racing that defined his formative years in the American spotlight.
“I’m very excited to join Alumitec Racing,” said the 40-year-old. “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.”
With the green flag for the 2026 season on the horizon, the Alumitec Racing shop is operating at full throttle. By pairing a proven NASCAR winner and World Champion like Piquet Jr. with a front-runner like Ercoli, the team has established a heavyweight one-two punch that puts the rest of the field on notice. The goal is no longer just to compete; it is to dominate the asphalt and bring the V8GP title home to Vulaines-sur-Seine.
Featured image by Getty Images for NASCAR
