Nelson Piquet could face a prison sentence for making racist remarks about Lewis Hamilton during an interview last year. The three-time world champion may become the subject of an investigation after he was accused of a "racial crime" by three members of parliament in his home country of Brazil, according to Britain's Express.
Last week footage surfaced on social media showing Piquet using the N-word about Hamilton. He was criticising his role in the crash with Max Verstappen British Grand Prix of 2021. He apologised a day later before it emerged that he had again referred to him with the same term in another interview.
Complaint filed
Three Brazilian MPs have filed a formal complaint with prosecutors in Brasilia. The trio hope that Piquet will be charged for his racist remarks, but it is still unclear whether an investigation into the controversy has begun.
Three years in prison?
Aurea Carolina, Taliria Petrone and Vivi Reis, representing the left-wing Socialism and Freedom Party, brought the case before prosecutors, who have not yet commented. Specialist lawyer Renan Gandolfi believes Piquet could face up to three years in prison and a hefty fine if a criminal investigation is launched and he is actually convicted.