Max Verstappen says Nelson Piquet is “definitely not a racist” but agrees the term he used to describe Lewis Hamilton was “very offensive”.
The reigning world champion, whose partner is Piquet’s daughter Kelly, also said the three-times world champion should not be banned from the Formula 1 paddock over his comments.
Piquet gave a partial apology for his comment about Hamilton in which he said the word he used was not intended as a racist insult.
Verstappen made it clear he did not agree with Piquet’s choice of words in an interview he gave last year which recently gained widespread attention.
“Everyone is against racism,” Verstappen said in a press conference for media including RaceFans. “I think it’s very straight, there’s nothing more you can make of that.
“I think the wording which was used, even though of course with different kinds of cultures and things probably they said when they were little and younger, was not correct. Let it be a lesson for the future not to use that word because it’s very offensive and especially nowadays it gains even more traction.”
However he said his personal experience of meeting Piquet made him confident the three-times world champion did not mean to use a racial slur.
“I’ve spent a bit of time with Nelson, I think more than the average person in general, and he is definitely not a racist,” said Verstappen. “He’s actually a really nice and relaxed guy.
“I’m pretty sure also, in the statement he released, I think you can see the word in two ways. But I think it’s still just better not to use it.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“But it’s not only about that word, it’s not about the ‘n-word’ in general, just using offensive language to anyone, any colour, I think is not correct and that’s what we have to work on in general all over the world not only in F1 with Lewis specifically but to anyone in the world.”
Verstappen, who referred to Piquet as his “father-in-law”, said he hasn’t spoken to him about his comments and the condemnation they provoked.
“I don’t think he needs me to tell him what is right and what isn’t,” he said. “He already said in his statement I think he realised that he used the wrong word.
“So who am I to then call him? I don’t think it will change anything anyway. I think he realised it was probably not the correct word to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…