Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes talks to the media in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his approval of the significant fine imposed on three-time Formula One World Champion, Nelson Piquet, for his racist remarks regarding Hamilton, stating that individuals “full of hate” should not be tolerated.
Following a 2021 interview, Piquet was fined US$945,000 last weekend for calling Hamilton “neguinho” (“little black”).
The Brasilia court ruled that the “unacceptable” comments constituted a “serious offence to the fundamental values of society” as it was handed down its ruling.
When criticising Max Verstappen’s girlfriend, Kelly, and Hamilton’s role in a clash with Verstappen during the British Grand Prix, Piquet used the language.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, expressed his appreciation for Brazil’s action.
“I believe that we should not be giving people full of hate a platform,” he said in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
“I would like to recognise the Brazilian government because I think it is amazing what they have done by holding someone accountable and showing people that this is not acceptable.
“Racism and homophobia are both unacceptable, and society has no place for them. So I admire them for standing up against it.”
The 70-year-old Piquet was fined for “collective moral damages” with the funds donated to groups that fight against discrimination.
Although Piquet apologised, stating that his words were wrong but he had no intention of offending anyone, the court was not persuaded and ruled that “discriminatory behaviour towards minorities could not be justified by the absence of intention”.