"I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver," Piquet added. "But the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct. Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect."
After Piquet's comments resurfaced this week, Hamilton called for "archaic mindsets" to change, while F1 and governing body FIA both condemned the use of racist language.
"It's more than language. 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," Hamilton tweeted on Tuesday. "There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action."
The British GP is this weekend.