It is not known why the remarks have only just been exhumed since Nelson Piquet made them in the fall of 2021. But they cause, in any case, general indignation, especially among other F1 drivers.
In a video interview on CNN Brasil, the three-time Brazilian world champion (1981, 83 and 87) called Lewis Hamilton a “neguinho” (little black) by comparing the accident involving Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in 1990 to the start of the Grand Prix of Japan, to that which took place at Silverstone 31 years plus 2021 which had seen the abandonment of the Dutchman Max Verstappen and the victory of the Briton: “The little black (Editor’s note: Lewis Hamilton) put the car and left because there was no way to pass two cars on this corner. He played dirty. Luckily for him, only the other (Verstappen) screwed up,” commented the Brazilian.
This June 29, Piquet, however, apologized: “I apologize wholeheartedly to all those who have been affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, said the 69-year-old Brazilian in a communicated. But the translation in some media is not correct. What I said was poorly thought out and I do not defend myself against it, but I want to clarify that the term used is a term that has been widely and historically used in the Brazilian Portuguese language as a synonym for “guy” or “no one” and was never intended to offend. I would never use the word I was accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn any suggestion that I have used this word in order to belittle a pilot because of his skin color”. But the damage was already done.
« These are more than words, immediately reacted the Briton, touched in his flesh and his personal story. These are archaic mentalities that must be changed and which have no place in our sport. I have been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted all my life. There was a lot of time to learn. The time has come to act. » His post was retweeted by most F1 drivers, in solidarity with the seven-time world champion.
A few went further. In a tweet, the Frenchman Esteban Ocon protests: “Enough is enough, the Alpine driver gets carried away. Racist and discriminatory words have no place in our sport and society. I have known Lewis for a long time and I know what a good person he is. He is always respectful with the people around him. We are proud of him and his fights for integration and diversity. In another tweet, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc abounds: “I have known Lewis since I was in F1, writes the Ferrari driver. He was always respectful of others and of myself. The causes he defends should be those of all people around the world. These comments against him are not tolerable. »
The bosses of F1, who rarely display their political opinions so as not to offend anyone, have also reacted: “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form whatsoever and has no role in society. 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 in F1.”
In the midst of these general disapprovals, we observe the silence of the reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is in a complicated situation. He is in a relationship with Kelly Piquet… the daughter of Nelson Piquet.
