"I know I'm not a racist deep down—I uttered a racist term." Until April 2020, when he was recorded using the slur while chatting on a headset during a virtual race, the 28-year-old was one of the sport's rising stars. The six-time champion was then sacked from his racing team. His comments had caused outrage, with many calling for him to be kicked out of motorsport. In an interview published Monday in French newspaper Le Parisien, Grosjean said that when he heard "black people" on the phone during a break at the Spanish Grand Prix, he replied "tu parles nègre" (you're talking shit). He said he knew immediately what he had done and felt terrible about it. Grosjean has been working as a commentator for French television since being released by his team. Grosjean later issued an apology through his lawyer. "I'm deeply sorry for what I said and I regret my response very much," he said. "It was a bad moment for me and I cannot explain myself because I don't understand myself." Grosjean was ordered off the track by his own team after the incident but continued with the race. He was penalized by his own team for the incident and finished last of the race. He has never raced again since.