The ex-driver’s interview still contained homophobic comments
Judge Pedro Matos de Arruda, of the 20th civil court in Brasilia, sentenced former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet on Friday evening (24) to pay R$ 5 million in compensation for racist and homophobic comments against Lewis Hamilton. The defense can still appeal.
The jokes were released in an online interview in November 2021 and published by the Grande Prêmio portal in June of the following year. The action was brought by the National LGBTI Alliance, the Brazilian Association of Homosexual Families, the Santo Dias Center for Human Rights of the Archdiocese of SP and Francisco de Assis: Education, Citizenship and Human Rights.
Among the terms used, Piquet repeatedly referred to Hamilton as a “little nigger” and, criticizing Keke and Nico Rosberg, claimed that the German only won a title in F1 because “the nigger must have kicked more ass at the time and he was kind of ugly.”
For the judge, the ex-pilot’s statements cannot be ignored because he is a public figure and has possible repercussions on his admirers.
“This offense is intolerable. All the more so if we consider the projection that is given when it comes to a person as recognized and admired as the defendant. I therefore believe that the collective moral damage is characterized because there has been a serious offense to the fundamental values of society”, added the magistrate.
The amount was calculated based on a calculation based on a BRL 501,000 donation made by Piquet to Jair Bolsonaro’s 2022 presidential campaign. year before the elections for political campaigns. With that, the ex-racer’s net worth is believed to be more than R$5 million.
After the fallout from the revelation, Piquet said his lines were “misinterpreted”. So far the former pilot has not commented on the sentence.
In addition to the legal issues, the three-time F1 champion was banned from the paddock area as a reaction from the category itself to his statements. All the major F1 teams also expressed their support for Hamilton after the speeches. The pilot, in turn, took to his social networks saying it was time for the company to move beyond these “outdated views”. .
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
