Max Verstappen’s girlfriend has backed a statement defending her dad as the Lewis Hamilton race row rages on.
An interview conducted following the 2021 British Grand Prix has surfaced in which Nelson Piquet, 69, used a racial epithet.
The Brazilian, who won the F1 world title on three occasions, was discussing a collision between Hamilton and his rival Verstappen on the opening lap at Silverstone.
While many have slammed Piquet for his comments, a relative of the Brazilian has tried to explain how he views the incident, explaining that his second grandmother used to call family members by the same term in question.
Alongside a picture of an elderly woman, Rodrigo Piquet Souto Maior said on Instagram: “Inacinha, our second grandmother and the mother of my father and the soul and heart of my uncle! She called all of us that. It's not like that, but it's about love. Hypocritical world.”
The post was like by Kelly Piquet, the daughter of Nelson Piquet and girlfriend of Verstappen.
Speaking out on the incident yesterday, Hamilton wrote on Twitter: “It’s more than language.
“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.”
While F1 said in a statement: “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part 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 at F1.”
Mercedes said in a statement: “We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind.
“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.”
Lewis Hamilton
Bradley Collyer
Kelly Piquet and Max Verstappen
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