Hill: Piquet’s ‘beyond the pale’ racial slur demands apology, action
1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill says Nelson Piquet’s “beyond the pale” racial slur directed against Lewis Hamilton demands an apology and action to be taken.
The F1 paddock has united to show its support for Hamilton over the past 24 hours after an interview with Piquet surfaced in which he used a racist remark in reference to the Mercedes driver.
Both F1 and the FIA issued statements rebuking Piquet’s comments, while Hamilton said it was “time for action” to change “archaic mindsets” within the sport.
Piquet is yet to issue any public apology to Hamilton amid calls for the Brazilian’s F1 paddock access to be revoked and for action to be taken.
Ex-Williams, Arrows and Jordan driver Hill, who now serves as a pundit for Sky Sports F1, said during a media roundtable on Wednesday morning that he did not think Piquet “would be very welcome if he did turn up.”
“I’ve always felt Nelson was a bit of an acquired taste, and I didn’t really acquire the taste,” said Hill.
“This is beyond the pale now. Even allowing for possible misunderstandings in the difference in languages between the Brazilian term and here, certainly it’s something that demands an apology.
“But I’m not sure what sort of apology would be sufficient. It’s very sad, really.
“Poor Lewis for having to put up with this constantly. It’s blighted his experience of being a Formula 1 driver, perhaps more than we’ll ever understand.”
Damon Hill
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Asked by Motorsport.com about the need for proper action from F1 and the FIA, Hill drew comparisons to Red Bull’s quick decision to terminate test and reserve driver Juri Vips’ contract over his use of a racial slur.
“This was a case of there being verifiable evidence that something was said and done,” Hill said, referring to Piquet’s comment.
“You’ve got Juri Vips as well - swift action has been taken against Juri. We have to be sure that the sport is not just nodding in the direction of political correctness. It has to be absolutely clear.
“For a long time, I’ve wished that the sport upheld and made it abundantly clear that it upholds certain values. But the argument against that was they couldn’t be political. That’s what their response was, it was we’re not a political organisation, we can’t.
“But this is not politics. This is decent human values. And surely a sport should be about those things.”
Watch Damon Hill live at Silverstone on Sky Sports F1 this weekend on Sunday from 1.30pm.
McLaren: Budget cap uncertainty has put handbrake on F1 upgrades
What to expect from Mercedes as F1 returns to Silverstone
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1? Has Alonso made the right choice gambling on Aston Martin F1?
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
McDowell leads NASCAR Cup practice at Texas; Bell spins
McDowell leads NASCAR Cup practice at Texas; Bell spins McDowell leads NASCAR Cup practice at Texas; Bell spins
Marquez will take Honda's interests into account while finalising MotoGP future
Marquez will take Honda's interests into account while finalising MotoGP future Marquez will take Honda's interests into account while finalising MotoGP future
“Strong penalties” only way to stop constant MotoGP Turn 1 pile-ups
“Strong penalties” only way to stop constant MotoGP Turn 1 pile-ups “Strong penalties” only way to stop constant MotoGP Turn 1 pile-ups
Stella: "Remarkable" Red Bull F1 gap highlights scale of McLaren's work
Stella: "Remarkable" Red Bull F1 gap highlights scale of McLaren's work Stella: "Remarkable" Red Bull F1 gap highlights scale of McLaren's work
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation How Tsunoda has eliminated a crucial F1 limitation
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.