- Nelson Piquet
- Nelson Piquet

This is how F1 drivers reacted to Nelson Piquet's comments before British GP

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen addressed the racist comments made by Nelson Piquet at media day at the F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

30 Jun 2022
14:44
Lewis Hamilton

"I am very proud of the work we have done as a team.

"I told Toto that I don't want to just be a driver. It is important what we do outside of the sport.

"Part of my contract is commitment from Mercedes, and financial commitment from myself, to work on Ignite [his social work].

"We live in a time where there are lots of people who say they are supportive but it is lip service. We don't do that. We make action. We put our money where our mouth is."

14:43
Charles Leclerc

"I love it here. I love the track, I love fast corners in general.

"Hopefully we can have a clean weekend.

"The next four races will be very important. To go on holiday after four good races would be great!"

Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Preparation
Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10,…

14:34
14:26
Lando Norris on Juri Vips

"It is different - someone making a mistake, using a wrong word, to someone who does it on purpose.

"Any racist slurs are not accepted.

"Words make a big difference. This has become big - it has a big impact.

"If it is a genuine mistake, it is hard to know what the deserved punishment is.

"People make mistakes. Careers shouldn't just be ended. People should be forgiven.

"But it is tough where to draw that line.

"We are doing quite a bit as a sport, as a community. We do a lot, we speak up, we are talking about it now. These things have a good impact."

14:25
Alonso

"There is no room for these types of comments. The most important thing for us drivers is to show support Lewis and stand up for him. We will follow the FIA. It is difficult to know what action is needed. The reaction was, probably not enough, but better, and this is the direction we need to go in." 

14:24
Vettel: We need to speak out against abuse

"It does take balls to speak up, it does take courage but we should speak up about it. It’s up to us to have that courage and speak up against it straight away."

14:23
Mick Schumacher on racism issues

"If you [speak up] then you have more followers than you may believe.

"These [things] are not acceptable."

14:16
Lando Norris on mental health

"Me, and every driver, gets a lot of online abuse. From a mental aspect, it is difficult.

"It comes from a person sat behind their phone. I find it odd that someone spends their life doing this.

"They don’t create memories, they just try to bring people down.

"It is never easy for me to speak about this."

14:15
Lando Norris on Lewis Hamilton

"This isn’t something Lewis has had just recently. It is something he has dealt with his entire career.

"We know how strong a person he is, how he gets through these times. It is not an easy thing.

"There is no room for these comments. Especially on such a public stage.

"F1 wants to create positive change. We are drivers, that is what we love the most, but we want to create change.

"This highlights how we need to continue doing this.

"This needs continued voices to talk about.

"Everyone feels for, and supports Lewis."

Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren walks the circuit. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone,
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren walks the circuit. Formula 1 World Championship…

14:14
Vettel supports Hamilton

Sebastian Vettel (GER) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 8, Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku Street
Sebastian Vettel (GER) Aston Martin F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship,…

“I think it’s more than just the recent, it’s what he and his family has been through his entire life," Vettel said. "The abuse was wrong and it was great to see such a response from the F1 community on the matter and towards Lewis.

"There shouldn’t be any room for these kinds of comments. It doesn’t help when there are still these things out here and using inappropriate language. It is important to talk about it because it wont’t be gone overnight and we have a responsibility to try and address these issues...

"Kindness matters and people matter. It was bad to see what was going on."

14:12
Vettel to drive Mansell's title-winning F1 car

Sebastian Vettel will get the chance to drive Nigel Mansell's 1992 title-winning Williams F1 car ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix. 

“I’m looking forward to driving Nigel’s car from 1992. It should be thrilling and a good weekend.” 

14:08
Sergio Perez

"I really hope that I'm able to put it together this weekend.

"We should be in a good place. The competition will be close. The weather can play a big part here."

Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 9, Canadian Grand Prix,
Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference. Formula 1…

14:06
Mick Schumacher

"Sunday seemed like it was the day [that I would score my first points].

"Hopefully, with no issues this weekend, we can get our first point.

"The car will be better here."

14:04
Lando Norris

"From start to finish, it is busy and tough, but such a memorable experience.

"There are bits of rain on the radar."

13:57
BRDC suspends Piquet's membership

The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) has announced it has suspended Nelson Piquet's honorary membership with immediate effect. 

"The BRDC Board of Directors has noted that, in a Brazilian podcast last November, Nelson Piquet Senior, an Honorary Member of the BRDC, described Lewis Hamilton using a racially offensive expression in Portuguese. The apology issued yesterday by Mr Piquet Sr has also been noted," the statement read. 
 
"In view of the BRDC’s zero-tolerance policy towards any act involving or suggesting racism, the BRDC Board has concluded that Mr Piquet Sr’s use of racially offensive language to describe a fellow BRDC member (and 7-times World Champion) is unacceptable and represents conduct that is wholly inappropriate for an Honorary Member of the BRDC, notwithstanding his subsequent apology.  

"Accordingly, we have advised Mr Piquet Sr that his membership has been suspended with immediate effect.  Following the Club’s due process, it is anticipated that the Board will terminate Mr Piquet Sr’s membership at a board meeting to be held after the required 7-day notice period."

 - Race 2, Jean Alesi (FRA) and Nelson Piquet
- Race 2, Jean Alesi (FRA) and Nelson Piquet

13:50

A magnificent coat worthy of the occasion!

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England,
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10,…

13:49

George Russell arriving in the paddock

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England,
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10,…

13:11

13:09

Insight into the Red Bull garage

Red Bull Racing RB18 being built up in the pits. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone,
Red Bull Racing RB18 being built up in the pits. Formula 1 World…

13:08

Lewis Hamilton arrives at Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England,
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10,…

13:06

Lando Norris walking the circuit

Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren walks the circuit with the team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand Prix,
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren walks the circuit with the team. Formula 1…

12:54

We're expecting a huge turnout

Approximately 400,000 fans are expected at Silverstone this week.

Mick Schumacher (GER) Haas F1 Team walks the circuit with the team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 10, British Grand
Mick Schumacher (GER) Haas F1 Team walks the circuit with the team…

12:52
12:50

Esteban Ocon arrives in the paddock

Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team (Right) rides the circuit with Josh Peckett (GBR) Alpine F1 Team Race Engineer. Formula
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team (Right) rides the circuit with Josh…

12:40

FIA race director Niels Wittich has just issued his Event Notes for this weekend's British Grand Prix and so far, at least, there is no update regarding drivers wearing jewellery in their cars.

The previous exemption - which covered Spain, Monaco, Baku and Canada - expires ahead of this weekend's race at Silverstone.