discriminatory language
Eddy in Formula 1 about Piquet derailment against Hamilton
“These are outdated views that need to change and have no place in our sport,” said Lewis Hamilton
© DPPI / Picture Alliance
Former Brazilian Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet racially insulted record world champion Lewis Hamilton in an interview. The interview was conducted on a YouTube channel six months ago and is only now known.
A racist derailment by three-time world champion Nelson Piquet towards superstar Lewis Hamilton has caused an uproar in Formula 1. In a statement on Tuesday, the racing series condemned discriminatory language as “unacceptable in any form”. Hamilton was “an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect,” it said. Previously, older statements by the Brazilian Piquet (69) had appeared, in which he had denigrated Hamilton in an interview.
The Brit then tweeted: “These are outdated views that need to change and have no place in our sport.” Hamilton wrote that such attitudes surrounded and targeted him all his life. “It was enough time to learn. Now it’s time to act,” tweeted the 37-year-old.
Piquet is the father of Verstappen’s girlfriend
The background to Piquet’s derogatory statements was the accident between the Mercedes driver and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen at the Silverstone race a year ago. According to Piquet, a mistake by Hamilton was the reason. The previously leading Verstappen was eliminated, Hamilton won the Grand Prix despite a time penalty. Piquet is the father of Verstappen’s partner.
The world association Fia and the Mercedes team also condemned the statements. “We condemn any use of racist and discriminatory language of any kind,” the team said. Hamilton is leading the sport’s fight against racism and is a “true champion of diversity on and off the track.”
The Fia also emphasized its solidarity with the seven-time world champion and condemned racism. A year after the controversial Silverstone incident, Formula 1 returns to the UK for the tenth round of the season at the weekend.