Mueez Ajao
– Lewis Hamilton has praised Brazilian authorities for handing three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet a large fine for using racist and anti-gay language in comments about the Mercedes driver.
– A Brazilian court last week ordered Piquet to pay 5 million Brazilian reals ($953,050) in “moral damages” for remarks about Hamilton in interviews in 2021 and 2016.
– “I still believe that we generally shouldn’t be giving people that are just full of hate a platform,” Hamilton told reporters at Albert Park ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Also Read: Hamilton reacts to F1’s ban on political statements
– “I’d like to acknowledge the Brazil government, I think it’s pretty amazing what they’ve done in holding someone accountable, showing people that that is not tolerated.
– “Racism and homophobia is not acceptable, and there is no place for it within our society. So I love that they’ve shown that they stand for something.”
– Piquet, 70, apologised to seven-time world champion Hamilton last year and said he had been mistranslated by some media.
– Hamilton, who was recently awarded honorary Brazilian citizenship, is the sport’s only Black driver.
