Max Verstappen has voiced his support for Lewis Hamilton in the wake of Nelson Piquet using a racial slur about the seven-time World Champion. Piquet was widely condemned by many in the F1 world following his use of the term in reference to Hamilton when discussing the collision between the Mercedes driver and Verstappen that occurred at the 2021 British Grand Prix. The former driver has since issued a statement claiming that he had not intended any racial motivation behind the Brazilian-Portuguese term. Piquet is the father of Verstappen's partner, Kelly. It is not the only incident involving such language in recent days, with Red Bull having terminated the contract of junior driver Juri Vips after he used a racial slur during an online game, though the Estonian driver has been retained by his Formula 2 team , Hitech Grand Prix.
Verstappen calls for "education" over use of terms
When asked by Sky Sports F1 if he condemns the behaviour displayed by the likes of Piquet and Vips, not only in motorsport but in wider life, Verstappen commented: "In general, I think all over the world, right? "It's not only in Formula 1. I think it's not correct to use these words, but I think that already starts with education nowadays from a younger age, at home, at schools. "You need to be taught [that] these kind of things cannot be said or used in general." Verstappen further reiterated that he and the other drivers are fully supportive of Hamilton in continuing to address the issue. "That's what we're working on and of course, F1 together with Lewis, they are working on that for the future," the Red Bull driver added. "And all the drivers are behind that. We are all supporting them."
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