Three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet fined for ‘intolerable’ Lewis Hamilton comment

An F1 great has copped his punishment for a comment that was deemed a “serious offence to the fundamental values of society”.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton gives an interview after winning the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at the Intercity Istanbul Park circuit in Istanbul on November 15, 2020. - Lewis Hamilton won the race to seal his 7th World Championship. (Photo by Clive Mason / POOL / AFP)

Three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet was fined AU$1.43 million on Saturday for racist remarks made against British driver Lewis Hamilton, who he called “neguinho” (”little black”) in an interview.

A court in Brasilia ruled that these “intolerable” remarks constituted a “serious offence to the fundamental values of society”.

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Piquet, 70, was fined for “collective moral damages” with the money being donated to groups fighting against discrimination.

World champion in 1981, 1983 and 1987, Piquet used the word “neguinho” in an interview in 2021 when he criticised Hamilton’s role in a clash with Max Verstappen, his daughter Kelly’s boyfriend, at the British Grand Prix the same year.

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, denounced “archaic attitudes” which “had to change”.

“These are more than words,” said Hamilton.

Brazilian former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet (R) has copped a fine. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

Piquet later issued a “wholehearted” apology.

“What I said was wrong and I’m not going to defend myself but I want to clarify that this term has often been used in Brazilian Portuguese to describe ‘guy’ or ‘person’ and that it was never intended to offend,” he insisted.

However, the court was not convinced, ruling that “the absence of intention could not justify discriminatory behaviour towards minorities”.

Last year, Formula 1 responded to Piquet’s remarks in a statement.

“Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton was shocked by the remark. (Photo by Clive Mason / POOL / AFP)

Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect,” the statement read.

“His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1.”

Hamilton’s team, Mercedes, were also quick to slam Piquet’s comments.

“We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind,” the statement read.

“Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off the track.

“Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fundamental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future.”