'Time has come for action', says Lewis Hamilton after Nelson Piquet's racially abusive insult

F1

Lewis Hamilton said there's no place in Formula 1 for the racist language and mindset of Nelson Piquet, who used an abusive term to describe the Mercedes driver

HAM

Hamilton has spoken out after Piquet's discriminatory comments

Mercedes

Author

James Elson

Lewis Hamilton has condemned the “archaic mindsets” that remain in Formula 1 after Nelson Piquet used a racially abusive term to describe the seven-time world champion.

“Time has come for action,” Hamilton wrote on Twitter after a recording of the slur emerged from a podcast recorded last autumn.

Piquet was being interviewed about the Mercedes driver’s collision with Max Verstappen – who is in a relationship with Piquet’s daughter Kelly – at last year’s British Grand Prix, when he described Hamilton by his skin colour rather than by name.

“It’s more than language,” Hamilton posted. “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.”

In a separate post in Portuguese, Hamilton also wrote: “Let’s focus on changing the mindset.”

Earlier today, Formula 1 released a statement condemning Piquet. “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society,” it said.

“Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect. His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1.”

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In talking about the incident, the three-time champion and former Brabham, Lotus and Benetton driver said Hamilton was to blame for the incident and had been “lucky”.

Hamilton’s Mercedes team also released a statement in response to Piquet’s comments.

“We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind,” is said. “Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off track.

“Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fundamental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future.”

Piquet has a history of making offensive remarks: he made insulting comments about Nigel Mansell’s wife whilst they were team-mates at Williams, speculated about Ayrton Senna’s sexuality in a derogatory manner and said “I’m alive,” when asked who was the better driver out of him and his late Brazilian rival.

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