Nelson Piquet, a quadruple Formula 1 world champion, was fined heavily for making racist and homophobic remarks towards Lewis Hamilton. In a 2021 interview, the 70-year-old Brazilian called Hamilton ethnically insulting.
A Brazilian court ordered Piquet to pay 5 million Brazilian Reals ($953,000) to fight racism and homophobia. Lewis Hamilton is a British Formula One driver for Mercedes. Besides winning the World Drivers’ Championship seven times, he owns various sports records including victories, pole positions, and podium finishes.
What Did Nelson Piquet Say About Lewis Hamilton?
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Seven-time winner Lewis Hamilton was called “negrinho” by Nelson Piquet. The 70-year-old Brazilian used “negrinho,” a racially derogatory slur meaning “little black guy,” without mentioning Hamilton.
Following Nelson Piquet’s racially insulting statements regarding Lewis Hamilton, Hamilton urged for a shift in “archaic mindsets.” Formula 1, Mercedes, and the FIA criticized his statements on the 2021 British Grand Prix incident between Hamilton and Verstappen.
Piquet apologized for his ill-considered statement. He clarified that his phrase was colloquial and not offensive. He was accused of moral damages by four human rights organizations, including Brazil’s National LGBT+ Alliance.
The Court Judged Nelson Piquet.
Lewis Hamilton applauded Brazilian authorities for fining Nelson Piquet heavily for making racist and homophobic remarks against him. A Brazilian court ordered Piquet to pay 5 million reals in “moral damages” for his 2021 and 2016 interviews.
At the Australian Grand Prix, three-time Formula One champion Hamilton thanked the media for making Piquet responsible for his behavior. Hamilton, the lone Black driver, received honorary Brazilian citizenship. In society, racism and homophobia are unacceptable, he said. Nelson Piquet apologized to Hamilton and said the media mistranslated him.
Lewis Hamilton’s Racing and Philanthropy
Hamilton is one of Formula One’s finest drivers, sharing the record with Michael Schumacher with seven World Championships. Hamilton began his racing career in karting and joined McLaren in 2007. After winning his first World Championship with the team in 2008, he joined Mercedes in 2013 and won six more.
Lewis is active in environmental and social concerns including racial justice, diversity and inclusion, and climate change in addition to his success. As said, Lewis Hamilton is the only Black Formula One driver. This is noteworthy since racing has historically been controlled by white men.
Hamilton has used his position to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the sport. He founded the Hamilton Commission to promote diversity and representation in STEM and racing sectors. Hamilton received a knighthood in the 2021 New Year Honours for his advocacy.
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