The three-time Formula One World Champion, Nelson Piquet is known by F1 fans the world over as a tough-talking, no-nonsense kind of racer. This McLaren from the late 1970s typifies the sort of machine that he made his debut in, racing at the Dutch GP at Zandvoort in this DFV powered machine he showed the speed and ability that later awarded him his 3 World Driver Championships. While Nelson Piquet did not make his debut in the McLaren M23 in 1978, it was driving this machine in his second, third and fourth races that he became noticed by the F1 paddock. The young Brazilian impressing many with his speed and race craft, the signs of a future world champion were there for all to see, despite only managing a high of a 9th place finish in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.