Formula 1 world champion Nelson Piquet allegedly used a racist slur to describe Lewis Hamilton as he gave his verdict on the clash between the Brit and Max Verstappen at last year’s British Grand Prix.According to reports in his native Brazil, Pique called Hamilton a term in Brazil that translates in English to the N-word during an interview in November last year, although the quotes have only just come to light.Hamilton and Verstappen touched as they battled for the lead on the first lap at Silverstone, with the Dutchman slamming into the barriers at high speed.
Hamilton was hit with a 10-second penalty after being adjudged to have caused the collision but still went on to win the race.
Verstappen is also in a relationship with Piquet’s daughter Kelly.READ MORE: Chinese F1 star Zhou Guanyu claims he was bullied early on in career due to nationalityIn an interview with Brazilian journalist Ricardo Oliveira, Piquet reportedly criticised Hamilton for not leaving Verstappen enough room and called the Mercedes driver “neguinho” and “the little black man”.
The comments have been widely reported in Brazil and have been condemned by F1 and Hamilton's Mercedes team.In a statement to the BBC, Formula 1 said: “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society.
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