Former F1 world champion Fernando Alonso is back on the circuit preparing for this year’s British GP, which takes place on Sunday, but questions about racing have had to take a back seat.
When asked by CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies how damaging Pique’s comments are to the sport, two-time world champion Alonso said: “It’s damaging and there is no place in sport for those comments.”
F1, Hamilton’s Mercedes team and the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, on Tuesday condemned Piquet for using the racial slur.
Meanwhile, Hamilton, who has the most race wins in F1 history, said the “time for action” against racism had come, responding to Piquet’s comments in a series of posts on Twitter, writing: “Vamos focar em mudar a mentalidade” — Portuguese for “Let’s focus on changing the mindset.”
Piquet on Wednesday addressed his comments, which were made in November last year but only came to light when the interview was published on Monday.
He said: “What I said was ill thought out and I’m not defending myself for that, but I will clarify that the term used was widely used in Brazilian Portuguese and historically colloquially used as a synonym for ‘type’. or ‘person’ and was never intended to offend.
“I would never use the word I’m accused of in some translations. I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of disparaging a driver because of the color of his skin.”
Alonso told CNN Sport that he and his Alpine team “stand by Lewis,” adding that there has been a “big shift” in his team in recent years to make it more inclusive.
“Sport should be a role model for our society,” he said. “And this week has been very sad for our sport and let’s see what the actions will be like after these comments.
“I think we will agree to whatever the FIA or FOM are going to do, but I believe something needs to be done. If it’s just another episode, no action, I think isn’t enough. I think we need to do it away from these people and this is a perfect example.”
The 21-year-old Estonian was relieved of all team duties on June 21 and following the incident, Vips apologized and admitted in a post on his personal Instagram account that the language used was “completely unacceptable”.
Alonso told CNN that he has seen many positive changes in the sport during his 21 years in the paddock.
“There are a lot of women working on the team now, a lot of talented designers and mechanics. And we have all kinds of people that we like to have,” he said.
“We love sharing the team with them. And this is a sport like I said before [that] should be an example for our world.”
F1 comeback
“This year I think we’re a bit more competitive, which also boosts my confidence,” said the Spaniard, who returned last year.
Alonso finished ninth at last week’s Canadian Grand Prix after starting from the front row for the first time in 10 years.
“It felt good,” he told CNN. “It was a very special moment because after you come back to Formula 1 you don’t have to prove things, you put a lot of dedication and sacrifice to come back and be in shape for Formula 1. At 40, do it again. And if you deliver a good result, then it’s kind of like that [a] Relief and proof that you work very hard to achieve these results.”
Like most athletes, Alonso hates losing, but he said his perspective changed during his second stint in the sport.
“Over time you realize in Formula 1 that you have to have the package to win. It’s not just that one day you have a weird inspiration and you deliver something magical,” he said.
“There isn’t too much magic in Formula 1. You need the right car and the right day to perform, so I’m trying to build that package and that car with Alpine that’s capable of winning, but I’m enjoying the process of doing that, there’s no frustration why you not win.
“I miss winning. Yes, sure. But luckily I’ve had that time in Formula 1 where I’ve tried different categories with endurance, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indy Car, Dakar, Daytona, all those categories gave me the win feeling again and I was on top of the podium and that was enough I think to reset those win needs.
“And now I can spend [a] just trying to win Formula 1 for a few more years,” he added.