Nelson Piquet could face criminal repercussions and even jail time for his racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton.
Nelson Piquet could face criminal repercussions and even jail time for his racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton.
The comments came to light just before the British GP, Hamilton's home race. As a consequence, the BRDC, Silverstone's owner, banned the three-time world champion.
A subsequent cut of the interview showed Piquet making a homophobic joke with the seven-time world champion, suggesting that Hamilton was "giving ** back then" when he lost the 2016 title to Nico Rosberg.
Now, the Brazilian could face legal consequences, according to sports daily Lance!
Three Brazilian deputies are asking local prosecutors to consider criminal charges against Piquet, with lawyer Renan Gandolfi saying that a fine or up to three years in prison are theoretically possible.
"Treating black human beings in a clearly pejorative way, as Mr. Nelson Piquet does, is an obstacle to the implementation of equality," said federal deputy Talíria Petrone.