Lewis Hamilton has condemned three-time Formulation One world champion Nelson Piquet for utilizing a racially abusive time period about him in an interview.
The 69-year-old Brazilian used the derogatory time period in a podcast in Portugese, which got here to mild this week, following final yr’s British Grand Prix the place title rivals Hamilton and Max Verstappen collided on the primary lap at Silverstone.
Piquet, who’s the daddy of Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly, used a racist time period about Hamilton whereas accusing him of mishandling his automotive into the primary nook. Piquet added Hamilton was “fortunate” to proceed within the race.
The seven-time world champion mentioned on Twitter on Tuesday: “It is greater than language. These archaic mindsets want to vary and haven’t any place in our sport. I have been surrounded by these attitudes and focused my entire life.
“There was loads of time to be taught. Time has come for motion.”
He additionally tweeted in Portugese: “Let’s concentrate on altering the mindset.”
On Tuesday, F1 additionally condemned the time period utilized by Piquet in a press release which learn: “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any type and has no half in society. Lewis is an unbelievable ambassador for our sport and deserves respect.
“His tireless efforts to extend range and inclusion are a lesson to many and one thing we’re dedicated to at F1.”
Moreover, Hamilton’s staff Mercedes issued a press release: “We condemn within the strongest phrases any use of racist or discriminatory language of any sort. Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to fight racism, and he’s a real champion of range on and off observe.
“Collectively, we share a imaginative and prescient for a various and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the basic significance of continuous to try for a brighter future.”
Formulation One returns to Silverstone this weekend.