Dylan Bettencourt
Three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet racially abused Lewis Hamilton while speaking on a podcast.
The Brazilian, who won the drivers’ championship in 1981, 1983 and 1987, used a racial slur to describe Hamilton during the episode.
Formula 1 released a statement condemning Piquet’s actions.
“Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect. His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1,” it said in a statement.
Piquet was discussing the incident involving Hamilton and current champion Max Verstappen during last year’s British Grand Prix.
The pair collided going into the first corner, sending Verstappen crashing into the barriers at such a speed that he required medical assistance.
The 69-year-old described the incident as a “joke” and claimed Hamilton was lucky that Verstappen did not suffer major injuries.
Piquet’s daughter, Kelly, is currently Verstappen’s partner.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team also condemned the matter through a statement.
“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,” the team said in a statement.
The seven-time world champion took to Twitter to respond to the abuse.
“It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport. I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action,” Hamilton wrote on Twitter.
The sports governing body, the FIA, expressed their solidarity with Hamilton.
“The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or the wider society,” it said in a statement.
This weekend will see the one-year anniversary of the infamous crash between Hamilton and Verstappen, where the British driver was widely criticised for celebrating his win while his rival was in hospital.
Image source: @SkySports
