F1 COMMUNITY SUPPORTS HAMILTON AFTER PIQUET COMMENTS

The Formula 1 community has thrown its support behind former Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton after racially abusive language was used to describe him by three-time champion Nelson Piquet.

Piquet won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1981, 1983 and 1987 and is the father of Max Verstappen’s long-time girlfriend Kelly Piquet.

A video has surfaced on social media of Nelson Piquet discussing the first lap accident between Verstappen and Hamilton at the British Grand Prix last year, in which the now 69—year-old calls him a racist slur not once, but twice.

“The [racist term] put his car there to hit him on purpose,” Piquet stated.

And later, when asked if he felt Hamilton would not make the corner at Copse, Piquet said.

“Him? Never!

“He wanted to take him out no matter the cost. The [racist term] left the car there to hit him.

“It’s because you don’t know that bend. It’s a very fast one, and two cars can’t get through. There’s no way two cars can go side by side there. It was a dirty trick!

“He’s just lucky that the only other guy got screwed.”

Hamilton immediately took to social media, voicing his frustration and disgust at the language that had surfaced.

“It’s more than language,” he wrote. “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.”

Already the Formula 1 world has rushed to support Hamilton and to stop racist remarks in Formula 1.

“Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society,” Formula 1 posted.

“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.”

Mercedes F1 driver George Russell took to social media to speak up for his teammate.

“Huge respect to LH. He has done more for the sport than any driver in history, not just on the track but off it,” Russell wrote.

The fact that he and so many others are STILL having to deal with this behaviour is unacceptable. We all need to stand together against discrimination of any kind.”

Even some of his closest rivals took to social media.

“Knowing Lewis since I arrived in Formula 1, he has always been extremely respectful to me and everyone that he meets,” wrote Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

“Those values should be the standard towards anybody around the world. The comments made towards Lewis should not be tolerated, and we should continue to push for a more diverse and inclusive sport.

“We need to remove discriminatory behaviour and racist language in any form from not just our sport, but our society as well.”

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