“… the type of person he is.” Fans criticise Max Verstappen for his attitude over…
Max Verstappen has been criticised by outraged Formula One fans after he has remained silent over his partner’s father Nelson Piquet using the N-word to describe Sir Lewis Hamilton in an interview.
Piquet used the derogatory Portuguese phrase ‘neguinho’ while referring to the seven-time world champion on a podcast with the Brazilian publication Motorsport Talks in November last year.
The 69-year-old, who won the world title in 1981, 83 and 87, had been discussing the collision between Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the first lap of last year’s British Grand Prix.
Piquet recorded the interview in Portuguese and the footage was uploaded onto YouTube in March. It was translated into English after gaining traction on social media on Monday, ahead of the first anniversary of the crash.
The former driver – whose daughter Kelly Piquet, 33, is dating Verstappen – had suggested Hamilton pushed Verstappen off the track on purpose, ending his race.
“… the type of person he is.” Fans criticise Max Verstappen for his attitude over…
He said: ‘The neguinho put the car in the wrong way and didn’t let [the other driver swerve].’
Hamilton hit back, writing ‘Imagine’ next to a tweet which said, ‘what if Lewis Hamilton just tweeted, ‘Who the f*** is Nelson Piquet?’
The 37-year-old added: ‘It’s more than language. These are 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.’
He also posted a message in Portuguese – Piquet’s native language – reading, ‘let’s focus on changing the mindset.’
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F1 fans have since flooded Hamilton’s social media with messages of support – while others have been left furious by the ‘deafening silence’ from Red Bull, Verstappen, and Christian Horner, the Team Principal of the Red Bull Formula One team.
Joey M wrote: ‘Max Verstappen is very quiet on here today. His silence gives us an indication of the type of person he is.’
