Hamilton: Archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport

Nelson Piquet, Formula 1 world champion in 1981, 1983 and 1987, is at the center of the controversy over an outburst (yet another) in an interview in 2021.

After what happened at the British GP, in which Lewis Hamilton took Max Verstappen off the track, the historic Brazilian driver was interviewed. The talk had substance for the protagonist and not only because of his status as a former driver and also a champion, but because his daughter Kelly Piquet is Verstappen's partner. To no surprise, Nelson defended the Dutch driver of Red Bull and saw the Briton as the culprit for the accident... with some racist comments to top it all off.

Asked if this incident was similar to the historic clash between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at Suzuka 89, Piquet gave his insight.

"The one at Silverstone? The neguinho (black guy) put the car in and drove off. Senna didn't do that, he went straight on. Do you really think he wasn't going to turn? He was like, 'I'll do it here anyway.' it was because there was no way two cars could go through that corner. He played dirty. He was lucky that only the other driver got screwed," he said very clearly.

Although the interview was made a year ago, it has now been recovered due to the proximity of the British F1 GP.

Lewis Hamilton said the "time has come for action" after being the subject of a racially offensive term used by Piquet. Formula One and motorsport's governing body the FIA condemned the 69-year-old Brazilian.

"It's more than language," Hamilton tweeted. "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 tweet, Hamilton posted in Portuguese: "Let's focus on changing the mindset."

"Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society," Formula One 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."

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In a statement, the FIA said: "The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or wider society.

"We express our solidarity with Lewis Hamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport."

Hamilton, the only black driver on the grid, has been an outspoken campaigner for greater diversity in the sport.

The seven-time world champion regularly displayed "black lives matter" on his apparel and took the knee before races in the 2020 season following the murder of George Floyd in the USA.

Hamilton has also campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights and on environmental issues.

"We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind," Mercedes, Hamilton's team, said in a statement.

"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."

Hamilton is back in action on home soil this weekend for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

© Agence France-Presse