Nelson Piquet Souto Maior (Pronounced: PEE-kay; born August 17, 1952 in Rio de Janeirio), commonly known as Nelson Piquet is a former Formula One driver, and three-time World Champion, winning the title in 1981, 1983 and 1987. He is one of nine drivers to have won the title at least three times, the others being Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Sebastian Vettel (with three), Alain Prost (four), Juan Manuel Fangio (five) and Michael Schumacher (seven). He is the only driver to win the championship in a BMW engined car.