Triple F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet has been banned indefinitely from the F1 paddock after racially abusing Lewis Hamilton, according to widespread reports.
Earlier this week a video emergedof the Brazilian using a racial slur during an interview he gave towards the end of the 2021 Formula 1 season.
Speaking to Motorsport Talk’s Ricardo Oliveira, Piquet gave his thoughts on the clash between Hamilton and Max Verstappen that took place at the British Grand Prix, saying: “The [racial slur] put the car in and left it, because there was no way to get past two cars at that corner. He drove dirty.”
The former driver has been widely criticised for it, Formula 1 and Mercedes the first to take to social media to condemn his words.
Formula 1 is said to be ‘considering banning Piquet for life’,claims The Sun, while F1 journalist Chris Medland tweeted that the sport’s bosses are “considering further action against Piquet in response to his comments, though what that actually entails is not yet decided”.
Several teams and driver have taken to social media to support Hamilton, the driver himself saying there has been “plenty of time to learn, time has come for action”.
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc)June 28, 2022
“Huge respect to LH,” wrote his team-mateGeorge Russell.
“He has done more for the sport than any driver in history, not just on track but off it. The fact that he and so many others are STILL having to deal with this behaviour is unacceptable.
“We all need to stand together against discrimination of any kind.”
Esteban Oconsaid: “All racists or discriminatory language has absolutely no part in our sport and our society. Enough is enough.
“I’ve worked and spent time with Lewis over the years and know the kind of person he is. Always genuine and respectful with everyone around him.
“He has done so much for F1, on and off the track, and we are proud to have him at the forefront of our fight for further diversity and including in motorsport.
“I stand with Lewis and his continued efforts to make the sport we love a better place for all.”
PlanetF1 has approached Formula 1 for official comment.