Former world champion Nelson Piquet has apologised in a statement for his racist remarks against Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
Piquet twice used a racially offensive expression in Portuguese when referring to Hamilton during a Brazilian podcast last November.
He is said to have used the word ‘neguinho’ which meaning ‘nigger’ in Brazilian word.
“I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn that the word was used by me with the intent to disparage a driver because of the colour of his skin,” Piquet said
“I offer my sincere apologies to everyone affected, including Lewis, who is a great driver. It seems clear to me that there is no place for discrimination in Formula 1 and I think it would be good to clarify that in this way.” he added.
Formula 1 and the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) also came out and condemned Piquet’s discriminatory comments on Hamilton.
“Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society.” F1 said in a statement.
“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.” they added.
Piquet won the world title in the premier class of motorsport in 1981, 1983 and 1987.
After retiring from Formula One, Piquet tried his hand at the Indianapolis 500 for two years. He also had a go at sports car racing at different points during and after his F1 career.
Racism has long been found in European sports, and is intensified when players or athelets of colour are put in the spotlight during major international competitions.
It wasn’t only football players who experienced such treatment during the tournament. Hamilton faced racial abuse by Brazilian former driver Piquet.
