'Nelson Piquet Sr disgusts me' - F1 reacts to Lewis Hamilton slur

Graham Shaw
Tuesday 28 June 2022 16:00 - Updated: 00:21

The F1 world has reacted with a mixture of shock and disgust to the racist slur used by Nelson Piquet to describe Lewis Hamilton.

Reports emerged early on Tuesday of the slur, used by Piquet in an extensive interview with a Brazilian media outlet in late 2021.

Piquet used the slur when giving his opinion on the seven-time world champion's clash with title rival Max Verstappen during the 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Reaction to the comments was swift and strong as prominent F1 names and organisations responded in horror, while the hashtag #WeStandWithLewisHamilton was soon trending on Twitter.

F1 reacts

I worked with Lewis Hamilton very closely for 5 years when he & I were at McLaren. He’s an absolutely brilliant #F1 driver & a truly great man. He does a huge amount for diversity & inclusivity. By contrast Nelson Piquet Sr disgusts me. #WeRaceAsOne. That’s it. That’s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/SZOnbp0Y2J

— Matt Bishop 🏳️‍🌈 (@TheBishF1) June 28, 2022

Huge respect to LH. He has done more for the sport than any driver in history, not just on track but off it. The fact that he and so many others are STILL having to deal with this behaviour is unacceptable. We all need to stand together against discrimination of any kind. https://t.co/E4c1jFQKtf

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) June 28, 2022

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— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) June 28, 2022

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— Esteban Ocon (@OconEsteban) June 28, 2022

I join Lewis and the motorsport community in standing against any form of racism, discrimination and prejudice.

— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) June 28, 2022

We stand alongside @F1, @LewisHamilton and @MercedesAMGF1 against any form of discrimination. https://t.co/UzKK6rhfae

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) June 28, 2022

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 @LewisHamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport.

— FIA (@fia) June 28, 2022

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— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 28, 2022

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— Formula 1 (@F1) June 28, 2022

Condemnation needs to be swift and absolute. There is no reason or excuse. It’s not a language thing. There is only one translation and understanding of that word. I’ve seen the clip and won’t repost it. Abhorrent. https://t.co/6QUpl9SyI8

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) June 28, 2022

I couldn’t agree more. The education and deep need for change continues. https://t.co/uzlM29ic6O

— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) June 28, 2022

We stand with @LewisHamilton and all those around the world affected by racism or discrimination of any kind.

There is no room for this abhorrent behaviour in our sport or society. https://t.co/veBLMFO7eW

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) June 28, 2022

This is not so unbelievable sadly. #f1 https://t.co/Q30dtUTGNh

— Damon Hill (@HillF1) June 28, 2022