On a Brazilian podcast, Nelson Piquet, who won the world title in 1981, 1983, and 1987, used a racially derogatory slur towards Hamilton.
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Nelson Piquet, the three-time world champion, has been chastised by Formula One for using racially insensitive words regarding Lewis Hamilton. On a Brazilian podcast, the 69-year-old Brazilian, who won the world title in 1981, 1983, and 1987, used a racially derogatory slur to refer to Hamilton. According to an F1 statement, “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society. Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect.”
An interview from last year’s British Grand Prix in which Nelson Piquet appeared to use a racial slur to refer to Lewis Hamilton has leaked online. Despite colliding with Max Verstappen on the opening lap, Hamilton was able to clinch a vital victory at Silverstone, with the Dutchman going off at high speed after colliding with his Mercedes opponent at the iconic Copse circuit. Verstappen was thrown into the barriers along the side of the track at a force of 52G and was brought to a local hospital for precautionary examinations, leaving the Red Bull driver disturbed.
When asked about the crash back in November, Piquet suggested that Hamilton pushed Max Verstappen off the track on purpose and twice used the term ‘neguinho’ to refer to the Mercedes driver as he ran the rule over what happened. “The neguinho put the car in the wrong way on the corner, it’s because you don’t know the curve. It’s a very high curve, there is no way to pass two cars and there’s no way you can put the car aside. He did [Verstappen] dirty. His luck was that only the other one was gone.”
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“We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind. Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off track. Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fundamental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future.” said Mercedes.
Nelson Piquet, the father of Verstappen’s partner Kelly Piquet, is known for making offensive and disagreeable remarks. He openly disputed Ayrton Senna’s sexual orientation throughout his racing career and referred to Senna as “the Sao Paulo taxi driver”. When they were teammates at Williams, he also made insulting remarks about Nigel Mansell and the British driver’s wife.
