NELSON PIQUET has been BANNED from the British Grand Prix and Silverstone.
The Brazilian caused outrage after racist remarks directed at Lewis Hamilton emerged this week.
Nelson Piquet has been banned from Silverstone
Piquet, 69, is a member of the British Racing Drivers Club that own Silverstone, but will be formally kicked out at a members’ meeting next week.
In a statement, they wrote: “BRDC Board of Directors has noted that, in a Brazilian podcast last November, Nelson Piquet Senior, an Honorary Member of the BRDC, described Lewis Hamilton using a racially offensive expression in Portuguese.
“The apology issued yesterday by Mr Piquet Snr has also been noted.
“In view of the BRDC’s zero-tolerance policy towards any act involving or suggesting racism, the BRDC Board has concluded that Mr Piquet Snr’s use of racially offensive language to describe a fellow BRDC member (and seven-times World Champion) is unacceptable and represents conduct that is wholly inappropriate for an Honorary Member of the BRDC, notwithstanding his subsequent apology.
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“Accordingly, we have advised Mr Piquet Snr that his membership has been suspended with immediate effect.
“Following the Club’s due process, it is anticipated that the Board will terminate Mr Piquet Sr’s membership at a board meeting to be held after the required seven-day notice period.”
Piquet said in a statement: “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.
“Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect.”
Piquet has already been banned for life from the F1 paddock for his disgusting remarks.
F1 legend Damon Hill slammed Piquet, calling for strong action.
He said: “I’ve always felt Nelson was a bit of an acquired taste, and I didn’t really acquire the taste.
“This is beyond the pale now. Even allowing for possible misunderstandings in the difference in languages between the Brazilian term and here, certainly it’s something that demands an apology.
“But I’m not sure what sort of apology would be sufficient. It’s very sad, really.
“Poor Lewis for having to put up with this constantly. It has blighted his experience of being a Formula One driver, perhaps more than we’ll ever understand.”
Lewis Hamilton is set to take part in the British GP this weekend
