Verstappen insists Piquet "not a racist" but condemns Hamilton incident
Verstappen insists Piquet "not a racist" but condemns Hamilton incident
Max Verstappen has condemned the language used by Nelson Piquet towards Lewis Hamilton but has insisted the Brazilian is not a racist.
The Dutchman has been involuntarily embroiled in F1's latest racism storm as his girlfriend is Piquet's daughter, Kelly.
Hamilton was targetted by the three-time world champion who used a derogatory slur when describing the Mercedes driver during a discussion about last season's British Grand Prix crash between the Briton and Verstappen.
F1 swiftly banned Piquet from the paddock whilst the BRDC stripped him of his honorary membership.
Verstappen and Red Bull had remained quiet on the issue but speaking ahead of the British GP weekend, the reigning world champion said: "I think everyone is against racism, I think it is very straight, there is nothing more you can make of that.
"I think the wording used, even though we are different cultures and things they said when they were little, was not correct.
"Let it be a lesson for the future not to use that word. It is very offensive and especially nowadays, it gains even more traction."
But remaining adamant that Piquet was well-natured, Verstappen added: "I have spent a bit of time with Nelson, more than the average person in general and he is definitely not a racist, he is actually a really nice and relaxed guy.
"I am pretty sure... also the statement he released. You can see the world in two ways but I think it is still better not to use it.
"But it is not only about that word, in general using offensive language to anyone of any colour is not correct and that is what we have to work on all over the world, not only in F1 with Lewis specifically, but to anyone in the world."
Hamilton has "all my respect" - Verstappen
Verstappen and Hamilton were involved in one of the tightest championship battles in F1 history last year, with tensions often boiling over.
Asked if he had spoken to Hamilton since the Piquet incident, Verstappen replied: "No, I only arrived to the track today so it is all very busy.
"But we don't need to talk because he has all my respect, like every other driver, exactly the same.
"He knows how I feel and think about this situation just like any other driver and together with F1 and Lewis, we are all behind the initiatives taken already."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
- 49 minutes ago
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- 1 hour ago
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- 2 hours ago
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- Today 11:27
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- Today 13:59
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- Today 12:59
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
Stats show SURPRISE F1 team dominate in crucial category
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
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