Nelson Piquet Sr. flaunts one of the most successful Formula 1 careers of all time, having competed in over 200 races and subsequently winning a hat-trick of world championship titles with historical racing outfits Brabham and Williams. However, despite the heightened on-track success and the reputation that came with it, Piquet is currently a disliked individual in the entire motorsport industry, thanks to his ugly debacle with Lewis Hamilton.
The Brazilian made it to the headlines for all the wrong reasons last year after hurling racial remarks at the seven-time world champion. Piquet was visibly frustrated during an interview with a Brazilian media house. Piquet used racial slang to address Hamilton while conversing about the infamous Silverstone incident involving his son-in-law Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton on Nelson Piquet:
🗣️ “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.” #F1 pic.twitter.com/d3hKByspmg
— AnythingF1 (@AnythingF1_) March 31, 2023
While the interview remained subdued for a few months, it finally hit the spotlight in 2022. What’s more, the situation blew out of proportion when Hamilton commented on the interview through his Twitter handle. Following a series of battles in court, the FIA finally imposed a hefty million-dollar fine on the three-time world champion along with a few other penalties.
And now, as the buzz around Piquet Sr. is coming to a standstill, the Brazilian racing legend’s daughter has seemingly triggered another new chapter to this never-ending saga.
Julia Piquet’s rant triggers hate on social media amid Lewis Hamilton saga
Nelson Piquet’s daughter Julia Piquet is seemingly frustrated with F1 for not celebrating her father’s birthday on social media since the Hamilton controversy broke out. She wrote on Twitter in 2022, “Well… I see getting canceled by the court on public opinion means no longer deserving happy birthday tweets or recognition of his incredible feats?” she questioned.
the piquets throwing a fit bc f1 didnt wish their racist dad a happy birthday 😭😭 like that man is BANNED from the paddock what do you expect pic.twitter.com/QBiYPkzzkw
— can (@rosbergcore) August 19, 2023
“Shame on you F1 for turning your back on one of the F1’s greatest champions. A three-time champion to be exact. I won’t forget.” Piquet posted the exact same tweet on her Instagram story this year and added the caption, “I will never, ever, forget.”
Upon seeing her tweets, one fan called her out on Twitter. “The piquets throwing a fit bc f1 didnt wish their racist dad a happy birthday. Like that man is BANNED from the paddock what do you expect,” the user wrote. Overall, the reputation of the Brazilian racing legend has gone downhill since 2022, as any appreciation posts on Piquet could only lead to a massive outroar among the fans.
Hence, will Formula 1 ever mention the name Nelson Piquet in the coming years? Or will his infamous feud with Hamilton continue to overshadow his successful racing history?