The three-time world champion – who is the father of Max Verstappen’s partner Kelly Piquet – allegedly used racial slurs in Portuguese when discussing a clash between Hamilton and Verstappen during the 2021 British GP in a Brazilian podcast last year. November.
The word used by the 69-year-old is reported to be equivalent to or similar to the word N.
However, he insisted that the word he had used was mistranslated and denied that “it was used by me in order to underestimate 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 about a comment I made in an interview last year.
“What I said was misplaced and I do not defend it, but I will make it clear that the term used is one that has been widely and historically used in Brazilian Portuguese as a synonym for ‘type’ or ‘person’ and was never intended to offend.
“I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn any suspicion that the word was used by me in order to underestimate a driver because of the color of his skin.
“I wholeheartedly apologize to anyone affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible guide, but the translation on some of the media now circulating on social media is not correct. “Discrimination has no place in F1 or in society and I am pleased to clarify my thoughts in this regard.”
The PA news agency understands that Pique’s access to the Formula 1 paddock was likely to be revoked if he did not apologize publicly.
His comments came to light yesterday and the Formula 1 FIA and Hamilton Mercedes team immediately condemned “in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind”.
Picture: Verstappen with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet
Hamilton also responded by writing on Twitter: “It’s more than just language. These archaic mentalities need to change and have no place in our sport. I was surrounded by these attitudes and I aimed for my whole life. There was a lot of time to learn. It’s time for action. “
Mercedes co-driver George George Russell and Ferrari co-driver Charles Leclerc also gave their full support to Hamilton by posting messages of support 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 need to stand together against discrimination of any kind. “
Leclerc said: “Knowing Lewis since I got to Formula 1, he has always been extremely respectful of me and everyone he meets. These values should be the model for anyone around the world.
“Comments against Lewis should not be tolerated and we should continue to push for a more diverse and inclusive sport. We must remove discriminatory behavior and racist language in any form not only from our sport, but and from our society. “
