Several of Lewis Hamilton's competitors have defended him on social media after one of his fellow Formula 1 winners used a derogatory term to describe him.
Formula One and the FIA have denounced the language used by Nelson Piquet to disparage Lewis Hamilton in a recording recorded late last year and recently brought to widespread light.
Esteban Ocon, an Alpine driver, stated "enough is enough" and emphasized racist rhetoric "has no place in our sport or our society." Charles Leclerc of Ferrari stated that others should treat Lewis Hamilton with the same "super respectful" attitude in which he treats people.
Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren applauded Lewis Hamilton for "all the effort he has done on and off the track to not just preach messages of equality but also combat that negativity."
Ricciardo continued, "Each time his response to the hatred is inspired by maturity, positivism, and educating the world on how we should act."
George Russell was the first member of the Mercedes team to defend his teammate. "It is unconscionable that he and so many others continue to suffer with this behavior," he said. "We must all stand together against all forms of bigotry."
Multiple teams, including Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, and Haas, expressed their support for Hamilton.
F1 drivers respond to Piquet’s racist comment on Hamilton
All racist or discriminatory language has absolutely no part in our sport and our society. Enough is enough.
I’ve worked and spent time with Lewis over the years and know the kind of person he is. Always genuine and respectful with everyone around him. He has done so much for F1, on and off track, and we are proud to have him at the forefront of our fight for further diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
I stand with Lewis and his continued efforts to make the sport we love a better place for all.
Esteban Ocon
Discrimination and racism has no place in this sport or our society Those who still choose to spread hate and use those words are no friends of mine. I want to acknowledge Lewis and all the work he has done both on and off the track to not only spread messages of equality but combat that hate.
I’ve never dealt with any racially motivated actions, but he has for his entire life. Yet each time his response to the hate is motivated by maturity, positivity and educating the world on how we should act.
I stand with him and will do whatever I can to follow and support.
Daniel Ricciardo
Knowing Lewis since I arrived in Formula 1, he has always been extremely respectful to me and everyone that he meets. Those values should be the standard towards anybody around the world.
The comments made towards Lewis should not be tolerated, and we should continue to push for a more diverse and inclusive sport. We need to remove discriminatory behaviour and racist language in any form from not just our sport, but our society as well.
Charles Leclerc
Huge respect to LH. He has done more for the sport than any driver in history, not just on track but off it. The fact that he and so many others are still having to deal with this behaviour is unacceptable. We all need to stand together against discrimination of any kind.
George Russell
I join Lewis and the motorsport community in standing against any form of racism, discrimination and prejudice.
Zhou Guanyu
