Nelson Piquet became the first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion of the turbo era by winning the 1983 title.
Piquet drove the turbocharged Brabham BT52-BMW and beat Renault’s Alain Prost by two points in the final standings. Turbocharged engines had already appeared in Formula 1, but the technology became increasingly important as manufacturers developed powerful, compact power units.
The 1983 championship was Piquet’s second title, following his 1981 success. He later won a third championship with Williams in 1987. His aggressive racing personality and technical understanding made him a central figure in Formula 1’s transition toward turbocharged performance.
The answer is sometimes confused with Keke Rosberg, who won the 1982 championship with a naturally aspirated Williams-Ford. Piquet’s 1983 title specifically marked the turbo era’s first championship victory.