Manchester United star once joined to support Lewis Hamilton against Nelson Piquet’s racial comments

A video of Nelson Piquet appeared in 2022, where he used an N-word against Lewis Hamilton. The former Brazilian race driver received a major backlash for his actions.

He was banned from the paddock access and FIA events. Moreover, he was reported to pay a fine of $1.8 million as ordered by the Brazilian court for his alleged racist comments.

Piquet later released a press statement and claimed that he was not being a racist and didn’t intend to cause harm. He even claimed it to be a Portuguese word often used in Brazil. However, nobody bought his argument.

Also read: Max Verstappen refuses that he dominated 2022 even though he won championship with four races remaining

Raphael Varane came in to support Lewis Hamilton

After Piquet’s video went viral, Hamilton stood up for himself and demanded that people isolate such personalities who still have such ideologies. The seven-time world champion received colossal support from every sphere, including Manchester United star Raphael Varane.

“There is no place for racism in any sport, industry or walk of life. Lewis, continue to shine the great light that you do. I stand with you,” wrote Varane on Twitter.

There is no place for racism in any sport, industry or walk of life.

Lewis, continue to shine the great light that you do. I stand with you 💪🏾 https://t.co/3uCajiiedO

— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) June 28, 2022

Varane has been vocal about racism in his sport as well. The French footballer once mentioned that taking a knee has lately lost its significance. Instead, the real change will come while playing together and staying united.

Mercedes star to buy in Manchester United

Last year, Manchester United’s owners— the Glazers Family, decided to keep the club on sale. According to recent reports, the UK’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe is inching closer to a takeover of the Theatre of Dreams as his gigantic bid takes shape.

The reports also mention that the Mercedes superstar is interested in contributing to Ratcliffe’s launch bid. Hamilton, in the recent past, has been interested in taking over several sports franchises.

He was also eyeing being a part of the Chelsea takeover that happened after Roman Ambrovich was forced to sell the club amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Soon, he became a part of the group that bought the NFL team Denver Broncos this summer. Will he face a similar success with Manchester United? That remains to be seen.

Also read: Nicholas Latifi 2023 net worth: How much does Williams sacked driver earns?

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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