Alonso: "The pilots support and are behind Hamilton"

One of the topics of the week, perhaps the one that has had the most repercussion, are Nelson Piquet’s comments in an interview from months ago that came to light this Monday. In it, the Brazilian referred to Hamilton with a word with racist overtones, which caused an immediate reaction from the world of F1.

Despite the fact that Nelson Piquet apologized to Hamilton (denying that his words were sexist), this Thursday was the first time that the drivers could talk about the matter at a press conference, and almost everyone who passed through the conference room of Silverstone were asked about it.

Fernando Alonso was blunt, and celebrated that all his teammates had reacted unanimously to support Hamilton. “There is no place for those kinds of statements and the reaction from the whole Formula 1 community was quite big, which is good,” said the two-time champion.

While Hamilton this Friday asked F1 to take action, Alonso is not clear about what can be done beyond condemnation: “It is difficult to say what actions should follow words, because we drivers depend on the support of the FIA and FOM and what they do.”

However, one thing is clear: “The most important thing for us drivers was to show our support for Lewis. We are behind him.”

“It’s good that everyone’s reaction has been much better than in previous incidents, although it’s probably not enough. It’s definitely the right direction we’ve taken, and we have to move on.”

When the Autosport account published Alonso’s statements live on Twitter during the press conference, a large group of Lewis Hamilton fans, despite the words defending the Englishman, attacked the Spanish, something that also happened with other drivers.

Along with Alonso at the press conference prior to the British GP, the rest of the drivers present were also asked if F1 had to do more against Piquet, who has been banned from the paddock for his comments.

Sebastian Vettel commented: “What really matters is that everyone, every day in every situation we find ourselves in, we act in the way that we believe and think is right. That means that if we see any kind of abuse, we must respond. But also that, I don’t know, if you get on a train or a bus and see something happen in front of you, it’s not the time to think that it’s wrong, it’s time to speak up and make it clear that it’s wrong.”

“So it takes balls to talk, it takes courage, but we don’t have to be afraid of these situations anymore because we have more allies than we think.”

Along the same lines, Mick Schumacher said: “Like Seb said, it takes balls to talk. I think if you’re that person who jumps up and raises his voice, a lot more people will follow you than some people think.”

The photos from this Thursday at Silverstone

Photographers and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG

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Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images

Lando Norris, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Team, Mick Schumacher, Haas F1 Team, Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing, Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin

2 / 23

Photo by: FIA Pool

Lando Norris, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Team

3 / 23

Photo by: FIA Pool

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin

4/23

Foto de: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

5 / 23

Photo by: FIA Pool

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG

6/23

Foto de: FIA Pool

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

7/23

Foto de: FIA Pool

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia AlphaTauri

8/23 _

Photo by: FIA Pool

Nicholas Latifi, Williams Racing

9/23

Foto de: FIA Pool

Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin

10/23 _

Photo by: FIA Pool

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia AlphaTauri, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Nicholas Latifi, Williams Racing, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team