Nelson Piquet explained his statements, which were considered racist by the world of motorsport. Photo Janos Marjai / MTI via AP
“They are more than words, those archaic attitudes must change”Lewis Hamilton had said after hearing in an interview that Nelson Piquet, three-time Formula 1 champion, called him “neguinho” (black) when he recounted the maneuver of the seven-time English champion with Max Verstappen, his son-in-law, in the last Great Great Britain Award, which ended with Kelly Piquet’s couple in hospital and the British celebrating their historic eighth victory.
The backlash was such that both the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the organizers of Formula 1 joined Hamilton and the Mercedes team to repudiate the racist sayings of the Brazilian, who reigned in the most important category in the world in 1981, 1983 and 1987.
Consequently, of course, this Wednesday the former driver came out to apologize, even if he did it halfway. “I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been offended by my sayings, including Lewis.who is an incredible driver, “said Nelson Piquet in his defense, although he clarified that” the translation of my statements on social media was not correct “.
The 69-year-old Brazilian, who gave the interview ahead of the upcoming new edition of the race that will take place this Sunday at Silverstone, explained that the term “black” is customary in Brazil to affectionately refer to someone and not necessarily to offend a person. Black.
“What I said was misunderstood. I do not intend to defend myself, but to clarify that the term used in the Portuguese-Brazilian language and particularly in Rio de Janeiro it is synonymous with boy and is not offensive. I did not intend to offend anyone, nor to refer to the color of the skin “, she added, while clarifying that” I would never use that word with the meaning it was given once it was translated “.
Far from apologizing, these new statements by Piquet leave the preview of the tenth round of the Formula 1 championship still on, which will start with free practice on Friday (at 9 and 12 in Argentina), Saturday (8) which will be a advance of the standings, from 11, the same time as Sunday’s British GP, which can be followed by Star +.
Source: Clarin
