World champion Max Verstappen claims that Nelson Piquet is not a racist and believes it is wrong to expel him from F1.
Verstappen, the daughter of Brazilian triple world champion Kelly Piquet, also claimed that the offensive remarks that had obscured the accumulation in the British Grand Prix this weekend were disproportionately blown away.
Pique, 69, apologized to Hamilton on Wednesday, but said the term used to describe the first lap clash with British driver Verstappen at Silverstone last year was mistranslated.
“Everyone is against racism and I think it’s very straightforward,” Verstappen said. ‘The expression used was incorrect.
“But I spent a little more time with Nelson than the average person, and he’s definitely not a racist. He’s actually a really nice and relaxed guy.
“It’s not about n-words, but about using offensive words in general.
F1 World Champion Max Verstappen argued that Nelson Piquet (pictured above) was not a racist
Verstappen believes that banning pickets is wrong, despite racial discrimination against Lewis Hamilton
“But he doesn’t have to tell him what’s right and what’s wrong.
“He already said in his statement, he used the wrong word.
“It can be interpreted in two ways. People pick up the bad side, and of course it’s really disproportionately blown away.”
It is understood that Piqué, who won the World Championships in 1981, 1983 and 1987, will not be welcomed back in the paddock.
Earlier Thursday, Silverstone-owned British Racing Drivers Club announced that it would suspend Piqué’s membership with the goal of ending the association at its board meeting next week.
The statement states: It is an unacceptable act and, despite subsequent apologies, represents a totally inappropriate act for an honorary member of BRDC.
“Therefore, we notified Mr. Piqué Sr that his membership was immediately suspended.
Piqué apologized for his derogatory remarks aimed at Hamilton, but said he was mistranslated.
The former driver was discussing the collision between Red Bull’s Verstappen and Hamilton on the first lap at the British Grand Prix last year.
“According to the due process of the club, the board is expected to terminate Mr. Pique Sr’s membership at the board meeting after the required seven-day notice period.”
However, Verstappen, who holds a 46-point lead in the championship, added: When you ban people, you don’t really even help the situation.
“You are not talking. You need to communicate and communication is really important. It is better to chat because you are trying to educate people, and these things are easy to solve can do.
“When you quarrel and insult someone, chat and apologize. That’s exactly the same.
Verstappen says “it’s better to have a conversation” than to ban pickets from the paddock
Hamilton described the slur as “archaism” and also claimed that “the time has come for action.”
“If you learn from mistakes and words you use, things are easily forgotten. I don’t think you should be banished from the paddock. Especially not a three-time world champion.”
Asked if he talked to Pique, the 24-year-old Dutch driver replied:’It’s not up to me to talk to my father-in-law.
“For all of you, yes, you’re not going to call and say,’Hey, that’s not right.’ He knows it himself. “