Lewis Hamilton Wins In Nelson Piquet Racism Battle - Fined $953,000
Three-time Formula 1 world champion, Nelson Piquet, is facing the consequences of his insensitive, racist remarks about fellow racer, Lewis Hamilton. Piquet has been ordered to pay a hefty sum of five million Brazilian Reals (£780,000) for making racist and homophobic comments.
Controversial Remarks Stir the Pot
The 70-year-old Brazilian racing legend stirred controversy in 2021 when he used a racially offensive term while referring to Hamilton during an interview. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and the sport's only black driver, called for a change in "archaic mindsets" after the footage surfaced.
Piquet later expressed regret for his "ill-thought-out" racially abusive remark about the British Mercedes driver. However, the damage was done, and the incident drew condemnation from Formula 1, Hamilton's Mercedes team, and the FIA, world motorsport's governing body.
The Unraveling of Piquet's Defence
The offensive comments stemmed from a conversation about the accident between Hamilton and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the first lap of the 2021 British Grand Prix. Verstappen happens to be the partner of Piquet's daughter.
Piquet admitted that there was "no defense" for his remarks, but he attempted to justify them by claiming that the term he used has historically been a colloquial synonym for 'guy' or 'person' in Brazilian Portuguese. He insisted that he never intended to offend.
However, another interview surfaced later in which Piquet employed racist and homophobic language while describing Hamilton's missed opportunity for the 2016 championship against Nico Rosberg.
Human Rights Groups Bring Charges Against Piquet
The charges against Piquet were brought forth by four human rights groups, including Brazil's National LGBT+ Alliance. These groups sought 10 million Brazilian Reals in compensation for alleged moral damages.
A Brazilian court ruled yesterday that the ex-F1 driver must pay five million Brazilian Reals ($953,000). Judge Pedro Matos de Arrudo stated that the amount of compensation was determined "so that, as a society, we can someday be free from the pernicious acts that are racism and homophobia".
A Call for Change in the Racing World
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the prejudices that persist even in the world of elite sports. With the court's ruling, there is hope that this case will contribute to a larger conversation about the importance of inclusivity and the need to eradicate racism and homophobia in all areas of life, including the competitive world of Formula 1 racing.