Nelson Piquet apologises for 'ill thought out' Lewis Hamilton comments but denies racist intent

Nelson Piquet has apologised for making an “ill thought out” remark about Lewis Hamilton, but has denied it was racist or “intended to offend”. Three-time Formula One world champion Piquet used a racially offensive term in a podcast when referring to Hamilton. Ad/> His comments were widely condemned by the F1 community, while Hamilton said “archaic mindsets need to change".

Formula 1F1 condemns Piquet for racist comments aimed at HamiltonYESTERDAY AT 10:48 In a statement, Piquet, 69, said: “I would like to clear up the stories circulating in the media about a comment I made in an interview last year. “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. F1 condemns Piquet for Hamilton comments Ecclestone: Hamilton at risk of being replaced “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.” It has been reported by the BBC that Piquet will not be allowed back into F1 paddocks following his comments.

Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho condemned Piquet on social media. «Dear Lewis Hamilton,» he wrote. «Piquet is currently the driver of the worst president in our history.