Feb.22 (GMM) New Renault driver Nelson Piquet has revealed that his famous father, who won three world championships in the 80s, is not scheduled to attend his first grand prix in Australia next month.



"My father will be on business and has no plans to go to Australia," Piquet, 22, is quoted as saying whilst testing at Barcelona on Thursday by the Spanish newspaper Diario AS.



The rookie Brazilian agrees with his Renault teammate Fernando Alonso that the pair will not be fighting for the win at Albert Park with their new R28 single seater.



Instead, Piquet estimates that Renault will be competing behind the leading three teams with Red Bull and Williams, "although I do not know whether we are in front of them or not".



He promised: "We will improve gradually. This car is better than last year's, but the others have also moved forwards."