NELSON PIQUET has broken his silence after Lewis Hamilton called on F1 to take “action” over the Brazilian’s vile racial slur.
The 69-year-old has apologised for what he says was an “ill thought out” comment, made in November last year.
A statement said: “What I said was ill thought out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used colloquially in Brazilian Portuguese as a synonym for ‘guy’ 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 suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour.
“I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct.
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“Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect.”
F1 chiefs are considering banning three-time world champ Piquet for LIFE after he racially abused Hamilton.
Hamilton wrote on social media after Piquet’s comment surfaced: “It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport.
“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.”
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