ormula 1 has condemned its three-time world champion Nelson Piquet after he used a racial slur to criticise Lewis Hamilton.
Piquet was speaking in Portuguese on a podcast and discussing last year’s crash between Hamilton and title rival Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix when he used the term.
Piquet’s comments came during the interview late last year but did not come to wider attention until resurfacing on social media last week.
“Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society,” an F1 statement said.
“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.”
Hamilton’s Mercedes team added: “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.”
The FIA, F1’s governing body, said in their own statement: “The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or wider society.
“We express our solidarity with Lewis Hamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport.”
