Verstappen defends Nelson Piquet after Hamilton racist slur: 'He's definitely not a racist'

World champion Max Verstappen insists Nelson Piquet is not racist and believes it is wrong to expel him from Formula One.

Verstappen, whose girlfriend Kelly Piquet is the Brazilian triple world champion's daughter, also claimed the offensive remarks – which have overshadowed the build-up to this weekend's British Grand Prix – have been blown out of proportion.

Piquet, 69, issued an apology to Hamilton on Wednesday but said the term he used when describing the British driver's first-lap collision with Verstappen at Silverstone last year was mistranslated.

"Everyone is against racism, and I think that's very straight," said Verstappen. "The wording that was used was not correct.

"But I've spent a bit of time with Nelson, more than the average person, and he's definitely not a racist. He's actually a really nice, relaxed guy.

"It's not about the n-word, it's about using offensive language in general.

"But he doesn't need me to tell him what is right and what isn't. He already said in his statement that he used the wrong words.

"It can be interpreted in two ways, people pick up on the bad side, and then, of course, it gets really blown out of proportion."

It is understood that Piquet, who won the world championship in 1981, 1983 and 1987, will not be welcomed back into the paddock.

Earlier on Thursday, the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns Silverstone, announced they were suspending Piquet's membership with a view to terminating their association at a board meeting next week.

A statement read: "In view of the BRDC's zero-tolerance policy towards any act involving or suggesting racism, the BRDC Board has concluded that Mr Piquet Sr's use of racially offensive language to describe a fellow BRDC member (and seven-time world