Brazilian judge orders investigation into Nelson Piquet over ex-F1 champion’s racist comments about Lewis Hamilton
A BRAZILIAN judge has ordered an investigation into disgraced Formula One legend Nelson Piquet as he faces charges of using racist and homophobic language against Sir Lewis Hamilton.
According to Sky Sports, charges were brought by four human rights groups that want Piquet to pay 10million Brazilian reals (£1.6m) for allegedly causing moral damage to black and LGBTQ+ people.
The three-time world champion will have 15 days to prepare for the state case before he stands in front of judge Felipe Costa da Fonseca Gomes of the Distrito Federal court.
The 69-year-old has been banned from the paddock after racist comments aimed at Hamilton last year came to light.
The Brazilian, who was discussing the Mercedes star’s crash with Max Verstappen at the 2021 British GP, subsequently apologised insisting that he would never “belittle a driver because of his skin colour”.
But in more shocking footage from 2021, Piquet can again be seen using derogatory terms while describing the British legend.
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In the clip discussing former competitor Keke Rosberg, his son Nico, and his ex-Mercedes team-mate Hamilton – he uses the same racial slur that had already emerged.
Piquet also used a homophobic phrase towards Sir Lewis when describing how Rosberg beat him to the championship in 2016.
Piquet has been widely condemned by figures in the sport, including British legend Damon Hill, while F1 chiefs said “discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society”.
Hamilton said: “I am incredibly grateful to all those who have been supportive within the sport, particularly the drivers.
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“It has been two years since we took the knee in Austria. Of course we are still faced with the challenges.
“I have been on the receiving end on racism and that negative and archaic narratives and undertones of discrimination.
“I am not sure why we are continuing to give these older people a platform.
“They are speaking on the sport but we are looking to go in a different direction. It’s the bigger picture.”