Nelson Pique apologized “wholeheartedly” to Lewis Hamilton – but “strongly condemns any suggestion”, the expression he uses when talking about Formula 1 aces during an interview is racially offensive.
The three-time world champion – who is the father of Max Verstappen’s partner, Kelly Pique – reportedly used racial insult in Portuguese when discussing a clash between Hamilton and Verstappen during the 2021 British Grand Prix in a Brazilian podcast last year. November.
The word the 69-year-old used was reported to be equivalent to or similar to the N-word.
But he insisted that the word he used had been mistranslated and denied that “it was used by me to belittle a driver because of the color of his skin.”
Pique said in a statement: “I would like to clarify the stories circulating in the media for a comment I made in an interview last year.
What I said was ill-considered and I do not defend it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has been widely and historically used colloquially in Brazilian Portuguese as a synonym for “man” or “man” and has never been in order to offend.
“I would never use the word I was accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me to belittle a driver because of the color of his skin.
“I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was affected, including Lewis, who is an amazing pilot, but the translation in some media that is now spreading on social media is not correct. Discrimination has no place in Formula One or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in this regard. “
The PA news agency understands that Pique’s access to the Formula 1 paddock is likely to be taken away if he does not apologize publicly.
His comments came to light yesterday, and the FIA’s governing body and the Hamilton Mercedes team immediately condemned “in the strictest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind.”
Image: Verstappen with his girlfriend Kelly Pique
Hamilton also responded, tweeting, “It’s more than language. These archaic attitudes need to change and have no place in our sport. I was surrounded by these attitudes and was focused on my whole life. There was a lot of time to study. The time has come for action. “
Fellow Mercedes driver George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also gave their full support to Hamilton by posting support messages on Twitter.
Russell said Hamilton “has done more for the sport than any driver in history, not just on the track but off it,” adding: “The fact that he and so many others still have to deal with this behavior is unacceptable. We all need to stand together against any discrimination. “
Leclerc said: “Knowing Lewis since I arrived in Formula One, he has always been extremely respectful to me and everyone he meets. These values should be the standard for everyone in the world.
“Comments on Lewis must not be tolerated and we must continue to push for a more diverse and inclusive sport. We must eliminate discriminatory behavior and racist language in any form, not only from our sport, but also from our society. “
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