Nelson Piquet comment about Lewis Hamilton took the world by storm. The article sheds some light on the controversy and its consequences.
Nelson Piquet, a triple Formula 1 world champion, has been instructed to pay a hefty fine for making racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton.
In an interview in 2021, the 70-year-old Brazilian used a racially offensive term when referring to Hamilton.
A Brazilian court ruled that Piquet must pay 5 million Brazilian Reals (equivalent to $953,000) in compensation to help combat racism and homophobia in society.
Lewis Hamilton is a British racing driver who drives for the Mercedes team in Formula One.
He has won the World Drivers’ Championship seven times and holds several other sports records, including the most wins, pole positions, and podium finishes.
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Nelson Piquet Comments And Controversy: What Did He Say About Lewis Hamilton?
Nelson Piquet used the racially offensive term “negrinho” to refer to Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion.
The 70-year-old Brazilian did not mention Hamilton’s name when he used the word “negrinho,” a racially offensive term that translates into “little black guy.”
After footage of Nelson Piquet’s racially abusive remarks about Lewis Hamilton surfaced, Hamilton called for a change in “archaic mindsets.”
Formula 1, Mercedes, and the FIA condemned his comments concerning the 2021 British Grand Prix incident between Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Piquet later apologized for his ill-thought-out comment. He explained that his term was colloquial and not intended to offend.
Still, he was charged by four human rights groups, including Brazil’s National LGBT+ Alliance, for alleged moral damages.
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Court Announced The Judgement Against Nelson Piquet
Lewis Hamilton has commended Brazilian authorities for imposing a significant fine on Nelson Piquet for making racist and homophobic comments about Hamilton.
Piquet was ordered by a Brazilian court to pay 5 million Brazilian reals in “moral damages” for his remarks in interviews conducted in 2021 and 2016.
Hamilton, a three-time Formula One champion, expressed his appreciation to reporters at the Australian Grand Prix for holding Piquet accountable for his actions.
Hamilton, the only Black driver in the sport, was recently granted honorary Brazilian citizenship. He stressed that racism and homophobia are not acceptable in society.
Nelson Piquet had previously apologized to Hamilton and claimed that the media had mistranslated him.
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Lewis Hamilton: Racing Career And Philanthropy
Hamilton is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One, having won seven World Championships, a joint record with Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton started his racing career young and rose through the karting ranks before debuting in Formula One with McLaren in 2007.
He won his first World Championship with the team in 2008 and then moved to Mercedes in 2013, where he won six more championships.
Aside from his track success, Lewis is known for his activism on environmental and social issues, including racial justice, diversity and inclusion, and climate change.
As mentioned earlier, Lewis Hamilton is the only Black driver competing in Formula One.
This is a significant fact, given that motorsport has long been known to be a predominantly white male-dominated industry.
Hamilton has been vocal about the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the sport, using his platform to raise awareness and initiate change.
He has launched his initiative, the Hamilton Commission, to increase diversity and representation within motorsport and the STEM industries.
In recognition of his activism, Hamilton was awarded a knighthood in the 2021 New Year Honours.
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