Lewis Hamilton has praised the Brazilian government on its stance against Nelson Piquet Snr, who was ordered to pay $953,050 (5 million Brazilian Reals) for making racist and homophobic comments in 2021. The compensation was awarded after it was brought forward by four human rights groups, including Brazil's National LGBT+ Alliance. Hamilton acknowledged the Brazilian government, who made him an honorary citizen in June 2022, and says it should set an example for more countries around the world. "When it happened I made comments on it, I still believe that we generally shouldn't be giving people that are just full of hate a platform," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365.com . "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 it's not tolerated. "Racism and homophobia is not acceptable and there is no place for it within our society. So I love that they've shown that they stand for something."
Hamilton: A lot of countries can learn from Brazil
Hamilton has been one of the most vocal drivers about human rights in various countries that F1 visits, including Hungary and Saudi Arabia in the past. The seven-time World Champion believes countries in the Middle East and Africa can learn a lot from Brazil. "I wish that more governments out there would do that, so as you've just seen in Uganda [where a bill was passed to impose a death penalty for homosexuality]," he explained. "And there is over 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East [where laws against homosexuality exist], there's a lot that can be learned from that."
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