F1 Condemns Racism after Piquet’s Reported Slur at Hamilton

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after finishing third at the Canada Formula 1 Grand Prix on June 19, 2022, at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. (AFP)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after finishing third at the Canada Formula 1 Grand Prix on June 19, 2022, at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. (AFP)
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F1 Condemns Racism after Piquet’s Reported Slur at Hamilton

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after finishing third at the Canada Formula 1 Grand Prix on June 19, 2022, at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. (AFP)
Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after finishing third at the Canada Formula 1 Grand Prix on June 19, 2022, at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal. (AFP)

Formula One condemned racist language after a slur reportedly directed at Lewis Hamilton by retired champion Nelson Piquet.

Piquet was discussing a crash between Hamilton and Max Verstappen during last year's British Grand Prix when the 69-year-old Brazilian referenced the color of Hamilton's skin with a discriminatory term during a podcast in November.

"Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society. Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect," F1 said in a statement on Tuesday. "His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1."

Hamilton is the only Black driver in F1. The seven-time world champion has campaigned tirelessly to fight racism and has been outspoken on human rights abuses in countries where F1 goes racing.

Motorsport governing body FIA also defended Hamilton.

"The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behavior, which have no place in sport or wider society," the FIA said. "We express our solidarity with @LewisHamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport."

Hamilton's Mercedes team - known as the Silver Arrows - switched from silver to an all-black car in 2020 to support Hamilton's efforts to combat racism. Hamilton and most drivers took a knee before races in 2020 and 2021 as an anti-racism gesture. Hamilton also set up The Hamilton Commission to improve F1's diversity.

"We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind. Lewis has spearheaded our sport’s efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off track," Mercedes said on Twitter. "Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fundamental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future."

Piquet clinched the F1 title three times in the 1980s and won 23 races. His daughter Kelly Piquet is Verstappen’s girlfriend.

The British GP is this weekend.



Reports: Liverpool Agree to Sign Frankfurt Striker Ekitike

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP
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Reports: Liverpool Agree to Sign Frankfurt Striker Ekitike

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (L) is reportedly set to join Liverpool. Daniel ROLAND / AFP

Liverpool have agreed to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million ($92 million), according to reports on Monday.

The Premier League champions switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle's refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million by the Magpies, AFP said.

Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool look set to win the race for one of Europe's hottest young stars.

It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10 million in add-ons to sign the 23-year-old Frenchman, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million.

Once the transfer is completed, Ekitike will link up with Arne Slot's side on their pre-season tour of Asia.

Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain.

He was an unused substitute during his side's pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday, with Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller admitting Ekitike's impending departure was "a bitter loss".

Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota's recent death in a car crash in Spain.

The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich.

Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively.

Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot's side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024.