Four entities ask for R$ 10 million in compensation from Piquet for racist speeches

Four entities filed a public civil action against former driver Nelson Piquet for racist and homophobic speeches when speaking of English driver Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 world champion. They are asking for compensation of R$ 10 million for collective moral damages.

Lawyer Marlon Reis stated that Piquet offended not only Hamilton, but the entire community and the values ​​of inclusion and diversity. “Hamilton’s response was elegant and precise, a call to action against all types of discrimination,” said the lawyer, who represents the National LGBTI+ Alliance, Abrafh, Educafro and Centro Santo.

The President Director of the National LGBTI+ Alliance, Toni Reis, said that it is necessary to fight against racism, which is a cousin of LGBTIphobia. “We have to face all forms of discrimination based on the intersectionality of people. Together we will win against LGBTIphobia, racism and other forms of discrimination.”

The former pilot used racist terms in an interview given to journalist Ricardo Oliveira, in 2021, but the video returned to circulate on the networks at the end of June and has been causing controversy. Piquet analyzes an accident at the British Grand Prix between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappe. At one point, the ex-driver calls the English seven-time Formula 1 world champion “neguinho”.

Piquet criticized Hamilton for not taking his foot off the first lap of the British GP at Copse, one of Silverstone’s most famous corners. The fact happened in July last year, when the two disputed the leadership of the competition. Piquet, who is Verstappen’s father-in-law, daughter Kelly’s boyfriend, accused the Englishman of having done a “fu*****”.

He also compared the crash of the cars with the confusion that had happened with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix in 1990. [o outro piloto desviar]”. Senna didn’t do that. Senna left straight away. The black guy left the car because there was no way to pass two cars on that curve. He played a dirty trick. [ Verstappen].You did a f**king shit”, Piquet shot.

At the end of the season in December, Dutchman Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Abu Dhabi GP and his first career world championship, overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap.