RACING RACIST
Nelson Piquet used racist and homophobic slur towards Lewis Hamilton as ANOTHER vile interview emerges before British GP
DISGRACED former F1 champion Nelson Piquet used racist AND homophobic language towards Lewis Hamilton in another sickening interview that has emerged ahead of the British Grand Prix.
The three-time Formula 1 champion has been banned from the paddock after his disgusting comments aimed at the British superstar last year came to light.
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Piquet subsequently apologised for his words, insisting that he would never seek to "belittle a driver because of his skin colour".
But in more shocking footage from 2021, the 69-year-old can again be seen using derogatory terms while describing F1 hero Hamilton.
In the clip discussing former competitor Keke Rosberg, his son Nico, and his ex-Mercedes team-mate Lewis - Piquet uses the same racial slur that had already emerged.
He also used a homophobic phrase towards Hamilton when describing how Rosberg beat him to the championship in 2016.
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Formula 1 have been contacted for comment.
The latest outrage comes a day after Piquet was banned from the paddock by F1 chiefs, who said "discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society".
The Brazilian has been widely condemned by figures in the sport, including British legend Damon Hill.
Hamilton spoke eloquently in his pre-British Grand Prix press conference yesterday, saying: "I am incredibly grateful to all those who have been supportive within the sport, particularly the drivers.
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“It has been two years since we took the knee in Austria. Of course we are still faced with the challenges.
“I have been on the receiving end on racism and that negative and archaic narratives and undertones of discrimination.
"I am not sure why we are continuing to give these older people a platform.
“They are speaking on the sport but we are looking to go in a different direction. It's the bigger picture."
VERSTAPPEN BREAKS SILENCE
Astonishingly Hamilton's rival Max Verstappen has defended Piquet, insisting he should NOT be banned from the F1 paddock.
He said: "Everyone is against racism and I think that's very straight. The wording that was used was not correct.
"But I've spent a bit of time with Nelson, more than the average person, and he's definitely not a racist. He's actually a really nice, relaxed guy."
Verstappen, who is dating Piquet's daughter Kelly, went on to add: "When you have a fight and you insult someone, you have a chat, you apologise. With this it's exactly the same.
"Things can be easily forgotten - as long as you learn from your mistake and the word that you used. I don't think you should be banned from the paddock. Especially not a three-time world champion."
Kelly also defended her dad, liking a relative's eyebrow-raising post on Instagram backing Piquet.
Family member Rodrigo claimed that their "second grandmother" called all her family members the N-word, and even said that it is a word of "love".
WOLFF BACKS LEWIS FOR WIN
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff believes that Hamilton will use the events of this week to fuel him to victory at Silverstone on Sunday.
Ahead of the British GP, Wolff told SunSport: "The more adversity Lewis faced in the past, the better his performances.
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“It’s something that fuels him — and if we give him a car which is just a few tenths off the leaders, he will win the race.
“Him and Silverstone will compensate for a car which is slightly off the pace. But he knows he cannot have miracles.”
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