Lewis Hamilton has received support from Formula One and Mercedes after Nelson Piquet used racist language when talking about the seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton has received support from Formula One and Mercedes after Nelson Piquet used racist language when talking about the seven-time world champion.
Calling Hamilton a "little nigger" when referring to the accident between the Mercedes driver and Max Verstappen at last year's British GP, Piquet accused him of throwing his rival into the barriers on purpose.
"The neguinho put the car the wrong way around the corner," said the three-time world champion in a video published by the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.
In a message to the media, an F1 spokesperson condemned the former driver's racial terms and praised Hamilton's efforts and commitment.
"Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable under any circumstances and has no place in society," the message stated.
"Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect. His tireless efforts aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and we at F1 are committed to that."
Mercedes also used social media to "condemn in the strongest terms the use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind."
Piquet is the father of Verstappen's girlfriend, Kelly.