元Ｆ１王者から差別発言　ハミルトン「今こそ行動のとき」

【ロンドンＡＦＰ＝時事】フォーミュラワン（Ｆ１世界選手権）で３度の年間優勝を果たしたネルソン・ピケ氏（６９）が、メルセデスＡＭＧのルイス・ハミルトンに対して人種差別的な表現を使ったことに対し、ハミルトンが２８日、「今こそ行動を起こすときだ」と呼びかけた。（写真はネルソン・ピケ氏＜右＞。資料写真）
　１９８１年と８３年、８７年に総合優勝を飾っているピケ氏は、昨年の英国ＧＰ決勝の１周目でハミルトンとレッドブルのマックス・フェルスタッペンが接触したことについてポッドキャストで話していた際、人種差別的なコメントをした。
　ハミルトンはツイッターに「これは単なる言葉の問題じゃない。こういう古くさい考え方は変えなくてはならないし、僕らのスポーツに居場所はない。人生を通じて、こうした態度の人間に囲まれ、標的にされてきた。学ぶ時間は十分あったはず。今こそ行動を起こすときだ」と投稿した。
　別のツイートでは、ポルトガル語で「これまでの考え方を変えることに力を入れよう」と呼びかけた。
　この件については、Ｆ１も「差別的、人種的な発言や行為は、どんな形であれ容認できず、社会に受け入れられない」と発表。国際自動車連盟（ＦＩＡ）も「人種的、差別的な言葉と行為を強く非難する。このスポーツ、そして広い社会に、そうしたものの居場所はない」とコメントを出した。
　Ｆ１ドライバーで唯一の黒人選手であるハミルトンは、以前からＦ１の多様化を目指して積極的に声を上げている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/06/29-14:26）

Lewis Hamilton said the time has come for action after being the subject of a racially offensive term used by three-time Formula One world champion Nelson Piquet.
Formula One and motorsport's governing body the FIA condemned the 69-year-old Brazilian, who made the comments during a podcast.
It's more than language, Hamilton tweeted. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport.
I've been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.
In a separate tweet, Hamilton posted in Portuguese: Let's focus on changing the mindset.
Piquet, who won the world title in 1981, 1983 and 1987, was discussing an accident between Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen on the first lap of last year's British Grand Prix when he used the term.
His daughter, Kelly, is Verstappen's partner.
Discriminatory or racist language is unacceptable in any form and has no part in society, Formula One said in a statement.
Lewis is an incredible ambassador for our sport and deserves respect.
His tireless efforts to increase diversity and inclusion are a lesson to many and something we are committed to at F1.
In a statement, the FIA said: The FIA strongly condemns any racist or discriminatory language and behaviour, which have no place in sport or wider society.
We express our solidarity with Lewis Hamilton and fully support his commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in motor sport.
Hamilton, the only black driver on the grid, has been an outspoken campaigner for greater diversity in the sport.
The seven-time world champion regularly displayed black lives matter on his apparel and took the knee before races in the 2020 season following the murder of George Floyd in the USA.
Hamilton has also campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights and on environmental issues.
We condemn in the strongest terms any use of racist or discriminatory language of any kind, Mercedes, Hamilton's team, said in a statement.
Lewis has spearheaded our sport's efforts to combat racism, and he is a true champion of diversity on and off track.
Together, we share a vision for a diverse and inclusive motorsport, and this incident underlines the fundamental importance of continuing to strive for a brighter future.
Hamilton is back in action on home soil this weekend for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Hamilton's scathing response to Piquet's comment came on the same day as Red Bull reserve driver Juri Vips was dropped by the British-based Formula One team for using racist language during a live gaming stream.
The Estonian, who competes in the Formula Two series, was temporarily stood down from all duties on June 21.
A statement on Red Bull Racing's official Twitter account read: Following an investigation into an online incident involving Juri Vips, Red Bull Racing has terminated Juri's contract as its test and reserve driver.
The team do not condone any form of racism.
Vips, 21, last week issued an apology for his unacceptable language.