Veikko Nyquist

Veikko Jyrki Luukas Nyquist is a Finnish racing driver. He competed in Formula One during the 1980's, before leaving the sport at the end of the 1987 season.
== Early Years ==
Nyquist was born in Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland to parents Simo Nyquist and Peppi Nieminen.
== Racing Career ==
Nyquist started his racing career at age 13 when Erkki Virtanen started climbing the ranks to reach Formula One and became the first Finnish driver to do so. Nyquist quickly became obsessed with racing and followed Virtanen's career until his untimely death in 1972. After Virtanen's passing, Veikko immediately dedicated himself to continue his idol's legacy.
=== Formula One ===
==== Shadow (1980) ====
Nyquist replaced Michael Géni at Shadow for the 1980 British Grand Prix, as he brought in personal sponsor Nokia to help fund his seat in the struggling team. However the Sponsorship was not enough for the team to stay afloat as they shut down the operations and were bought by Smythe.
==== ATS (1981) ====
For 1981 Nyquist convinced ATS to let him drive for the team, as similarly to Shadow they were struggling to keep the operations afloat. His connections with Nokia allowed them to try and innovate further with the ATS D4.
==== Tyrrell (1982 - 1985) ====
Nyquist was brought on to the Tyrrell team to accompany Jurg Scheller for 1982. So far during the season, Nyquist is the sole points scorer in the team. During the 1982 Austrian Grand Prix, Veikko lost grip at the 4th corner, heading nearly head on into the barrier, breaking his femur. He was immediately airlifted to the nearest hospital. When asked about his thoughts on the crash being at the same track as his hero's fatal incident occurred at, Veikko responded:
"It is what it is. If I die, I die. I go fast and sometimes crash. It ok."Even though his doctor advised against the Finn's returning for the start of the 1983 season, the Finn chose to test the new car and subsequently started the first race.
The 1983 season was to date the best season of his career, with the fortunate win at the 1983 Monaco Grand Prix. Immediately after the race Veikko was withdrawn and quiet. He dedicated the win to his idol Erkki Virtanen. 
On the 20th of July, 1985, the day before the 1985 British Grand Prix, Veikko collapsed in his hotel room just prior to the cleaning service. He was rushed to the hospital on a temporary stay until he could be flown back to Finland. On the 5th of August, the Finn was diagnosed with lung cancer, and transferred to the Meilahti Triangle Hospital in Helsinki. He was undergoing intensive care until he was released on the 1st of September, this allowed Veikko to rejoin the Formula One grid for the 1985 Italian Grand Prix.
==== Brabham (1986 - 1987) ====
Nyquist spent his last two years in the sport in a very underperforming Brabham, and after 1987 the Finn decided to retire from the sport and start Rallying.
== Controversy ==
Nyquist has been a notable opponent to the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, claiming that Fabiano Margheriti should "Grow some balls" after the Italian stated his disappointment in the FIA for the lack of safety in Detroit.
== Racing Record ==
=== Complete Formula One World Championship results ===
Season	Team 	Races	Wins	Poles	Fastest Laps	Podiums	Points	Position
1980 	Shadow 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	18th
1981 	ATS 	12 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	21st
1982 	Tyrrell	10 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	15th
1983 	Tyrrell	12 	1 	0 	0 	1 	12 	11th
1984 	Tyrrell	12 	0 	0 	0 	2 	10 	12th
1985 	Tyrrell	8 	0 	0 	0 	0 	5 	15th
1986 	Brabham	12 	0 	0 	0 	0 	11 	14th
1987 	Brabham	12 	0 	0 	0 	0 	11 	16th
Category:Drivers
Category:Finnish
Category:F1
Category:Rally