Lewis Hamilton: Sports world reacts to Nelson Piquet's racist epithet about F1 star

Brazilian racing legend Nelson Piquet is currently under fire by sporting world, ever since video where 69-year-old uses racial slurs to describe seven-time F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, surfaced. In a video shot in aftermath of 51G crash suffered by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after he got entangled with Hamiton’s Mercedes, three-time world champion can be seen using racial epits against British racer. While F1 and world motorsports governing body FIA condemned racial abuse by a former champion, Hamilton also received support from his fellow drivers.

Hamilton took to his official Twitter handle on Tuesday evening and revealed how he has been subject to similar abuses since his childhood. “It’s more than langu. se archaic mindsets need to change and have place in our sport. I’ve been surrounded by se attitudes and targeted my whole life. re has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action,” 37-year-old said.

'We all need to stand toger against discrimination': Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes teammate

Hamilton’s fellow British driver George Russel was one of first drivers, currently on grid, to voice his opinion about same. “Huge respect to LH. He has done more for sport than any driver in history, t just on track but off it. fact that he and so many ors are STILL having to deal with this behaviour is unacceptable. We all need to stand toger against discrimination of any kind (sic),” Russel wrote on Twitter.

Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo call for racist behaviour to be removed 

Meanwhile, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc put out a long paragraph and said he has kwn Lewis since time he arrived in F1 and mentioned that British driver has always been respectful to everyone he meets. Leclerc also pointed out that people need to follow same standards for everyone in world. He concluded by saying that discriminatory behaviour and racist langu should be removed from sport and society. 

At same time, McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo, who has been in sports since early 2010s posted a story on his Instagram handle, with his thoughts about Lewis. “Discrimination and racism has place in this sport or our society. Those who still choose to spread hate and use those words are friends of mine,” Ricciardo added, while ackwledging Lewis’ effort being spreading messs of equality and combat hate both on and off track. 

Esteban Ocon, Guanyu Zhou and Nu Tavares extend support for Lewis Hamilton

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon also put out a tweet reacting to racial abuse and said people in sport are proud to have Hamilton at forefront of fight for furr diversity and inclusion. Ocon went on to add that he stands with 37-year-old, while adding that all racist or discriminatory langu shouldn’t be a part of sport. “Eugh is eugh,” Ocon said.

Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu, who drives for Alfa Romeo in F1, revealed his thoughts on Twitter, while Portuguese sensation and Arsenal player Nu Tavares also opined on matter. “I join Lewis and motorsport community in standing against any form of racism, discrimination and prejudice,” Zhou said. On or hand, Tavares retweeted Hamilton’s tweet and said, “This must stop. Standing with you, @LewisHamilton”.

(Im: @mercedesamgf1/Instagram)