“The BRDC Board of Directors has noted that, in a Brazilian podcast last November, Nelson Piquet Senior, an Honorary Member of the BRDC, described Lewis Hamilton using a racially offensive expression in Portuguese,” it said in a statement.

“The apology issued yesterday by Mr Piquet Sr has also been noted.

“In view of the BRDC’s zero-tolerance policy towards any act involving or suggesting racism, the BRDC Board has concluded that Mr Piquet Sr’s use of racially offensive language to describe a fellow BRDC member (and seven-time world champion) is unacceptable and represents conduct that is wholly inappropriate for an Honorary Member of the BRDC, notwithstanding his subsequent apology.

“Accordingly, we have advised Mr Piquet Sr that his membership has been suspended with immediate effect. Following the Club’s due process, it is anticipated that the Board will terminate Mr Piquet Sr’s membership at a board meeting to be held after the required 7-day notice period.”

Other current F1 drivers were asked about the matter in the British GP press conference, with Sebastian Vettel expressing his support for Hamilton.

“I think it’s more than just the recent days if you are very honest,” the Aston Martin driver said. “It is probably what he has been through and his family has been through his entire life.

“So, I think it was great to see that there was so much response from all of the F1 community and so quickly – people responded and expressed support on the matter towards Lewis.

“It takes balls to speak up, it takes courage.”