“Let’s focus on changing the mindset.”
The Formula One association (FIA), its most prominent drivers, and teams have condemned former F1 driver Nelson Piquet for using a racial slur to describe British driver Lewis Hamilton.
While addressing the collision between Mercedes’ Hamilton and Redbull’s Max Verstappen at the 2021 Silverstone Grand Prix, Piquet used the Brazilian-Portuguese racial slur against the seven-time champion.
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According to CNN, Piquet said the comment in an interview last year only recently garnered attention when it was released on Monday. “[Hamilton] put the car in and left it there because there was no way for two cars to pass on that corner,” Piquet said in a Portuguese interview with the Motorsports Talk channel.
“He made a dirty move. Lucky for him, only the other one driver [Verstappen] got f**ked.”
Verstappen is currently dating Piquet’s daughter, Kelly.
The following day, Hamilton posted his response on Twitter. “Let’s focus on changing the mindset,” the 37 wrote in Portuguese.
In another tweet published shortly after, he said, “It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport. I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.”
No place in society
Hamilton’s fellow F1 drivers quickly showed their support on social media.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon shared that racism and discriminatory language has no part in the sport and society, “Enough is enough.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc reflected on knowing Hamilton. “Knowing Lewis since I arrived in Formula 1, he has always been extremely respectful to me and everyone that he meets,” he said in part on Twitter and Instagram. “Those values should be the standard towards anybody around the world.”
In a lengthy statement, Mclaren driver Daniel Riccardo said, “Those who still choose to spread hate and use those words are no friends of mine.”
Teams such as Alpine, McLaren, Aston Martin, and Ferrari shared statements supporting Hamilton and Mercedes.
“Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society. Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect,” the F1 organization says.
“His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1.”
Banner images from @lewishamilton on Instagram.
