Footage emerged this week, ahead of the F1 British Grand Prix, of the ex-F1 world champion from Brazil calling Hamilton ꧂a word that mainstream Braz💜ilian media confirmed was racist.

Piquet’s daughter Kelly, who is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend, has since supported the view that he did not intend t⭕o be racist by ღliking a post on social media.

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Piquet issued a statement on Wednesday: “I would like to clear up the stories ci꧙rculating in the media about a comment I made in an interview last year.

“What I said was ill thought out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used colloquially in Brazilian Port👍uguese 𝔉as a synonym for ‘guy’ or ‘person’ and was never intended to offend. 

“I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations. I strongly🉐 condemn any suggestion that the word was useꦛd by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour.

“I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating 🦋on social media is not cor💎rect. 

“Discrimination 🌄has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect.”

Kelly Piquet likes post defending dad

Max Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet has seemingly defended her dad Nelson, liking an ꦍInstagram post from a relative supporting him.

Rodrigo Piquet, a relative of Nelson, has defended the triple world champion on social media, writing on Instagram: “Inacinha, our second grandmoth🌺er and the mother of my father and the soul and heart of my uncle. 

“She called all of usꦺ that 🤪[neguinho]. It’s not like that, but it’s about love.

“Hypocritical world.” 

Rodrigo’s account was made private shoಌrtly after sharing his post, which was liked by Nelson’s da🐻ughter Kelly.