On the back of yesterday’s social media storm over a 2021 interview Nelson Piquet did with regards to Lewis Hamilton and last year’s British Grand Prix, there have been many teams, drivers, former drivers and F1 itself issuing statements condemning Piquet’s comments.
Nelson Piquet Sr. has issued a statement regarding that interview, the words he said and Lewis Hamilton:
“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 defense 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 color.
“I apologize 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.”
I don’t understand the outrage. The man said something stupid…who cares? Granted, it was in a foreign (to me) language, but I do not believe that Nelson was advocating for violence, or racist policies, or anything like that. Even if he was, he’s just a man…why do we all get butt-hurt over the rubbish that comes out of the mouths of people we don’t know?
As I mentioned, I was watching the cesspool of comments on social media and as usual, it went from people denouncing the comment, which is understandable, to full cancel culture and tying it to Red Bull and ultimately to F1 as a whole. I think this kind of reaction is the worst part of social media. I’ve often found it odd that social media was touted as revolutionary for giving individuals a voice but in reality, it’s moved to a concoction of collective group think and mobocracy tendencies. Voicing your disdain for Nelson’s comments is one thing, calling everyone in… Read more »
The Guardian are reporting an unedited podcast with more slurs and insults. Very disappointing and says more about the character of the man.