Nelson Piquet issues Lewis Hamilton apology but denies racial intent
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."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ricciardo boss in 'super disappointing' claim amid RB stars' performance
- 47 minutes ago
F1 team 'set to announce MEGA signing' in major Red Bull challenge
- 1 hour ago
Horner in BRUTAL Wolff swipe amid Verstappen to Mercedes links
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
- 3 hours ago
F1 star hits back at Sky pundit with 'boring old man' jibe
- Today 17:57
F1 champion DOUBTS passion of new fans
- Today 15:58
Related news
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Hamilton form raises Ferrari F1 move fears
Fierce Hamilton F1 rival raises timing issue for Ferrari move
Rosberg reveals Wolff MISTAKE in managing infamous Hamilton dynamic
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860