Federal prosecutors in Brazil reportedly want to see Nelson Piquet convicted for the racist and homophobic comments he made in reference to Lewis Hamilton.
Last year, footage surfaced online showing former Formula 1 world champion Piquet discussing Hamilton's victory at Silverstone during the 2021 season. That race saw Max Verstappen – who is dating Piquet's daughter Kelly – crash out at high speed after contact with the seven-time world champion.
In the video, Piquet is seen to use a slang version of the N-word in reference to Hamilton. The Brazilian later apologised for his comments but insisted that there had been no racist intent behind his use of the word.
But in another clip which surfaced later, Piquet was shown using both racist and homophobic language – again in reference to Hamilton. Speaking about Nico Rosberg's 2016 title success, he said: "The 'n*******' was [more focused on] giving a** at that time. He was kinda bad."
Piquet was banned from the F1 paddock as the sport's bosses condemned his words. But it appears the consequences may yet be more severe for the 70-year-old after three Brazilian MPs called for legal action to be taken, accusing him of committing a racial crime.
Brazilian newspaper O Globo reports that civil action has been taken against Piquet by the country's National LGBT+ Alliance, among others. They are reportedly demanding around £1.6m in compensation for moral damages.
It is also reported that the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Federal District has backed that legal action, and has called for Piquet's conviction. It asserts that the former F1 racer committed "violations of the rights of the victim and the black and LGBT+ population, considering both the international and national standards".
The prosecutors' petition adds: "During the ill-fated interview in which the defendant comments on an accident that occurred at the Silverstone Grand Prix, in England, in July 2021, he refers multiple times to Lewis Hamilton with contempt, without even mentioning the name of the English pilot, referring to him only as 'n*******', and also incurring homophobia."
The legal action, which began last year, awaits a decision by the 20th Civil Court of Brasilia. Last year, Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil after a bill was passed in the country's parliament.
