Sao Paulo ¨C Lewis Hamilton called for action to change ¡°archaic mindsets¡± after a racist remark about him by Brazilian triple champion Nelson Piquet emerged on social media, triggering widespread condemnation.
In a Brazilian interview on YouTube in November, Piquet, 69, used a racial slur in Portuguese when referring to the seven-time world champion, when commenting on Hamilton¡¯s British Grand Prix crash with Max Verstappen.
He also said Hamilton had ¡°played dirty¡± in the incident. Piquet¡¯s daughter Kelly is Verstappen¡¯s partner, and the comments resurfaced as the drivers prepare to return to Silverstone this weekend.
Hamilton, who was recently awarded honorary Brazilian citizenship and is the sport¡¯s only Black driver, responded on Twitter.
¡°It¡¯s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport,¡± the Mercedes driver said.
¡°I¡¯ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.¡±
Motor racing¡¯s governing body FIA, Formula One and Mercedes all issued statements condemning racism but without mentioning Piquet by name.
¡°Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society. Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect,¡± Formula One said.
Mercedes said Hamilton was ¡°a true champion of diversity on and off track,¡± while FIA expressed solidarity and support for his ¡°commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport.¡±
Other prominent sporting figures expressed support for Hamilton, with tennis player Naomi Osaka retweeting his response with the added words ¡°Emphasis on ¡®there has been plenty of time to learn.¡¯¡±
¡°The comments made towards Lewis should not be tolerated, and we should continue to push for a more diverse and inclusive sport,¡± said Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
¡°We need to remove discriminatory behaviour and racist language in any form from not just our sport, but our society as well.¡±
Piquet¡¯s press team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazil¡¯s former Environmental Minister Carlos Minc called Hamilton a hero and said the driver had helped in the fight against the clearing of a forest to build a circuit in Rio de Janeiro.
Piquet, who won his titles in 1981, 1983 and 1987, has been a vocal supporter of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and drove the presidential Rolls-Royce during a ceremony last year.
Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil after the lower house this month passed a bill proposed by congressman Andre Figueiredo.
The Briton, whose boyhood hero was the late Brazilian triple champion Ayrton Senna, unfurled a Brazilian flag after he won last year¡¯s race at Sao Paulo¡¯s Interlagos circuit.
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