Nelson Piquet issues Lewis Hamilton apology but denies racial intent

Nelson Piquet has apologised to Lewis Hamilton for the language used in comments about the Mercedes driver but has insisted there was no racial intent behind his words.

An interview with the Brazilian from last year surfaced this week in which he used an offensive, racist slur when describing Hamilton during a discussion about last season's British Grand Prix, where the Mercedes driver collided with Max Verstappen - the boyfriend of Piquet's daughter, Kelly.

Widespread criticism has been levelled at the three-time champion from all corners of the sport, with teams and drivers rallying to the support of Hamilton.

Hamilton himself responded by calling for change and a shift from "archaic mindsets".

But Piquet has denied any intent to use racist language, claiming the translation from Brazilian Portuguese to English has skewed his comments.

"I would like to clear up the stories circulating in the media about a comment I made in an interview last year," said Piquet.

"What I said was ill thought out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used colloquially in Brazilian Portuguese as a synonym for ‘guy’ or ‘person’ and was never intended to offend.

"I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour.

"I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct.

"Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect."