Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'I was called brownie or ni**er' – Sebastian Vettel’s former aide said he suffered racist and homophobic abuse while at Aston Martin

Aidan Louw, 25, is of mixed race and was born in South Africa.

'I was called brownie or ni**er' – Sebastian Vettel’s former aide said he suffered  racist and homophobic abuse while at Aston Martin

FORMER Aston Martin contractor has said that more actions are needed to tackle racism in motorsport after he was abused by colleagues, a report said.

Aidan Louw, 25, has revealed that he was repeatedly called the n-word by colleagues at the firm, Sky News reported. He was born in South Africa and is of mixed race.


He added that the abuse started after he joined the company as a laminator building parts for the cars driven by Sebastian Vettel in February in Silverstone, Britain.

According to Louw, he was given nicknames from 'brownie to darkie'. He further said that he was never called his real name by colleagues.

He told the TV channel that the abuse included an apartheid-era insult that is also extremely offensive.

When Louw revealed that he had a boyfriend in his teen years he also suffered homophobic abuse.

"As soon as they found out about that sliver of information that was it, they were trying to claw me down to break me down as a man, as an individual and a human," he was quoted as saying by Sky News.

According to Aston Martin F1, Louw's contract was terminated due to "poor performance" and "poor timekeeping". It clarified that the termination was unconnected to the discrimination he'd experienced.

It said that the company has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to racism, homophobia and all types of discrimination.

But Louw defends that his 'poor performance' was the result of the abuse he had faced.

He told Sky News that he does not want to be seen as a victim and instead asks for an equal opportunity.

"I don't want to be viewed as a victim, that's not who I am but the fact is this (abuse) is not right, it's not just me that's the victim it's my community, my community is the victim. We're not asking to be given those opportunities, things to just be dropped on our plate just because of ethnic origin or sexual orientation," he said.

He was 16 years old when he started out in motorsport as a cleaner picking up beer cups and cleaning the toilets at the Silverstone track.

He then went on to work his way up in the F1 supply chain before joining the Williams team, Alpine and then McLaren, the report said.

Earlier, British driver Sir Lewis Hamilton has been forced to continue calling out incidents of discrimination. He was angered by a racial slur that former F1 driver Nelson Piquet was accused of using during a podcast.

Last month, Red Bull's reserve driver Juri Vips was fired after it was found he had sent racist messages online.

During Austrian Grand Prix some fans reported being racially abused in the stands. There were also reports of sexist and homophobic behaviour from a small number of F1 supporters.

More For You

UK–Africa business summit 2025

UK–Africa business summit 2025

UK–Africa business summit 2025 highlights trade, technology and resilient partnerships

Highlights:

  • Dr Sudhir Ruparelia emphasised Uganda’s growing real estate, agriculture and tourism sectors.
  • Lord Dolar Popat called for closer Commonwealth ties between Africa, the UK and India.
  • Uganda’s ministers outlined regional integration, investment climate and agricultural transformation.
  • Spiritual leader Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji urged ethical entrepreneurship rooted in integrity.

The 15th edition of the UK–Africa Business Summit took place on Friday, 12 September at The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, bringing together senior government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and diaspora stakeholders to strengthen trade and investment ties between the UK and African nations.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari

‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ trailer sparks festive wedding chaos with Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor

Instagram/dharmamovies

‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ trailer brings love and laughter to Dussehra audiences

Highlights:

  • The Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari trailer is out, offering a festive family entertainer.
  • Features a star-studded cast including Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sanya Malhotra.
  • Set against a vibrant Indian wedding backdrop with romance, comedy, and music.
  • Directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Dharma Productions and Mentor Disciple Entertainment.

The Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari trailer has finally landed, giving audiences a glimpse of what promises to be one of 2025’s most joyous family films. Bursting with romance, humour, and festive charm, the trailer sets the tone for a big fat Indian wedding story, rooted in togetherness and celebration, a hallmark of Dharma Productions’ signature family entertainers.

‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ trailer sparks festive wedding chaos with Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor Instagram/dharmamovies

Keep ReadingShow less
Lokah Chapter 1

Dulquer Salmaan reveals Mammootty and Priyadarshan doubted Lokah Chapter 1

Dulquer Salmaan reveals Mammootty and Priyadarshan doubted ‘Lokah Chapter 1’ before it smashed £24M box office

Highlights:

  • Dulquer Salmaan says both his father Mammootty and Kalyani’s father Priyadarshan were initially worried about the ambitious project.
  • The Malayalam superhero film has stormed the global box office, crossing £24 million (₹250 crore).
  • Kalyani Priyadarshan shares the key advice her director father gave her following the monumental success.
  • The producer-actor admits his production company was braced for a significant financial loss.

The record-shattering success of Lokah Chapter 1 has sent shockwaves through Indian cinema, but for producer Dulquer Salmaan and star Kalyani Priyadarshan, the sweetest victory was winning over their most sceptical critics: their legendary fathers.

In a recent interview, Dulquer disclosed that veterans Mammootty and Priyadarshan had serious doubts about the risky superhero venture, making its phenomenal Lokah Chapter 1 box office haul a deeply personal win. The film’s performance has not only re-written Malayalam cinema’s commercial potential but also cemented its pan-India appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less