Lewis Hamilton has said “the time has come for action” after a video emerged with the three-times F1 world champion Nelson Piquet using racist language when speaking about the British driver. Piquet used the term in an interview that was conducted last year but which was released publicly on Monday night.
Formula One and Hamilton’s Mercedes team had already condemned Piquet on Tuesday morning but Hamilton reacted with anger via Twitter, stating: “It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport. I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.”
Piquet was speaking in November to Motorsport Talk’s Ricardo Oliveira, in Portuguese, about Hamilton’s clash with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix in 2021, which ended with the Dutch driver going off the track and suffering a major impact with the barriers.
The video of the interview was picked up by Brazilian media including CNN, which reported his words as he referred to the incident. It included an epithet that can be translated as the N-word.
F1, which has a clear anti-racist platform under the We Race As One banner, swiftly condemned Piquet. Its statement read: “Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society. Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect. His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1.”
Mercedes, who have supported the seven-time champion’s outspoken efforts to promote anti-racism and diversity, meanwhile also immediately expressed support for their driver. “We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind.
“Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off track,” their statement read. “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.”
Others were quick to react with BBC presenter Gary Lineker describing the former world champion as a “dreadful bloke” in a tweet linking to the initial story about Hamilton.
Piquet, now 69, won the world championship in 1981, 1983 and 1987. His daughter Kelly Piquet is Verstappen’s partner. The Brazilian driver has a record of issuing unpleasant comments, including, while he was driving, a defamatory accusation toward Ayrton Senna of being gay and referring to Nigel Mansell’s wife as “ugly”. Last year Piquet was a chauffeur to Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, on the country’s Independence Day.
F1’s governing body, the FIA, also criticised Piquet’s comments. “The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or wider society,” its statement read. “We express our solidarity with @LewisHamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport.”
Piquet has yet to respond to the Guardian’s request for a comment or clarification of his statement.
On a bleak day for the sport, Red Bull terminated the contract of their test driver Jüri Vips over his use of a racial slur last week. Vips was heard using racist language during a live stream of a video game.
“Following its investigation into an online incident involving Jüri Vips, Oracle Red Bull Racing has terminated Jüri’s contract as its test and reserve driver,” the team said in a statement.
“The team do not condone any form of racism.”
Lewis Hamilton has never been one to fake a smile when the cameras are off. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion is known for his poise, professionalism, and fierce sense of justice — and that’s exactly why fans have noticed something very strange over the past few seasons. While he’s shown growing respect toward Max Verstappen, the man who dethroned him in dramatic fashion in 2021, Hamilton has made no attempt to interact with Max’s glamorous girlfriend, Kelly Piquet.
In fact, insiders claim he goes out of his way to avoid her.
Why the silent treatment? Sources close to the paddock say Hamilton has never forgotten — or forgiven — the deep wound left by Kelly’s father, Nelson Piquet, whose remarks about the British racing icon ignited a storm of controversy and reminded the world that even Formula 1 isn’t immune to the ugliness of racism.
A Family Legacy Tainted by Controversy
Nelson Piquet, a three-time F1 World Champion and a revered figure in the sport’s history, stunned fans in 2022 when a resurfaced interview revealed him using a racial slur to refer to Lewis Hamilton. The Portuguese-language video, which went viral, showed Piquet making derogatory comments while discussing the infamous Silverstone crash between Hamilton and Verstappen in 2021.
The backlash was immediate and international. F1 released a statement condemning “any discriminatory or racist language,” and Hamilton himself responded powerfully: “It’s more than language. These outdated mindsets have no place in our sport.”
Nelson Piquet issued an apology — claiming his words were mistranslated and “not meant to offend” — but the damage was done. And it wasn’t the first time the Piquet family had been accused of expressing troubling views.
Kelly Piquet Caught in the Crossfire
Though Kelly Piquet had nothing to do with her father’s comments, her silence during the scandal raised eyebrows. At the time, she was already dating Verstappen, and while the Dutch driver issued a lukewarm comment about “not agreeing” with Piquet’s language, neither he nor Kelly made any direct public statements of solidarity with Hamilton.
To this day, Kelly has not publicly apologized for or addressed her father’s remarks. That decision — or lack thereof — seems to have permanently cemented her status as a persona non grata in Lewis Hamilton’s world.
“He’s incredibly gracious on the track, and he always gives Max credit where it’s due,” one F1 insider told us. “But when it comes to Kelly, it’s like she doesn’t exist. Lewis won’t even glance in her direction.”
An Unspoken Rift in the Paddock
Observers have pointed out that despite the many podiums, press events, and backstage run-ins, Hamilton and Kelly Piquet have never been photographed talking, smiling, or even exchanging so much as a nod. The tension is palpable, especially at races where both women closest to Verstappen — his girlfriend Kelly and his mother Sophie — are present.
“It’s awkward, but it’s Lewis being Lewis,” said another team source. “He has always stood up for what he believes in. And if someone doesn’t speak out against injustice, even by association, he’s not going to fake a connection.”
What makes the situation even more striking is Hamilton’s genuine appreciation for Verstappen’s skills. In recent interviews, he’s acknowledged Max’s dominance in the sport, even calling some of his performances “flawless.”
“He clearly respects Max as a driver,” the source added. “But the people around Max? That’s another story.”
Fans Divided Over the Silent Protest
On social media, fans have taken sides. Many Hamilton supporters praise his principled stand, calling it a “silent protest” that speaks louder than words. Others argue that Kelly Piquet shouldn’t be held accountable for her father’s views.
“She could have said something — anything — when the world was watching,” tweeted one fan. “But she stayed quiet. That says it all.”
Others were more forgiving. “It’s unfair to put all this on Kelly,” one Reddit user wrote. “She didn’t make those comments, and we don’t know what she said to Lewis privately.”
Still, it’s clear the rift isn’t going away anytime soon — and it may never be healed.
The Verstappen-Hamilton Dynamic: More Complicated Than Ever
Interestingly, Hamilton’s relationship with Max Verstappen has evolved significantly since their fiery battles of 2021. Gone are the days of dramatic collisions, side-eyes on the podium, and thinly veiled insults. In their place is a cautious, mutual admiration between two fierce competitors who now share the F1 spotlight.
But with every race weekend that places Kelly Piquet within Hamilton’s line of sight, the tension simmers beneath the surface.
“At the end of the day, Lewis is about legacy,” a former Mercedes team member said. “He’s the first and only Black driver in F1 history. He’s dealt with racism his whole life. So if someone’s family played a part in trying to demean that journey — directly or indirectly — he’s never going to forget it. And he’s definitely not going to play nice.”
A Line Drawn in the Sand
For now, Lewis Hamilton remains unbothered by the whispers. He continues to fight for diversity and inclusion in motorsport, support up-and-coming talent through his Mission 44 foundation, and chase a historic eighth world title.
And while he might shake hands with Max Verstappen at the end of a tough battle, fans shouldn’t expect him to ever share a friendly exchange with Kelly Piquet.
Not on the grid. Not on the podium. Not even backstage.
Because for Hamilton, some lines — especially those drawn by racism — are never meant to be crossed again.
