Hamilton: Racism not a joke

Eurosport - Fri, 07 Nov 14:29:00 2008

Lewis Hamilton has put himself at odds with Bernie Ecclestone after the Formula One supremo rejected talk of racism in the sport and said recent controversies were "a joke".

2008 Anthony Hamilton Lewis Hamilton - 0

Ecclestone told BBC radio that incidents in Spain and Brazil, where 23-year-old Hamilton became on Sunday the first black world champion as well as the youngest, had been blown out of proportion.

"In Spain people were supporting [Fernando] Alonso and in Sao Paulo they were supporting Felipe [Massa]," said the 78-year-old. "I don't think it has anything to do with racism.

"There were a few people in Spain ... and that was probably taken at the beginning as a joke rather than anything abusive. People sort of look and read things into things that are not there.

"All of those things are all a bit of a joke. People are entitled to support who they want to support."

Hamilton, appearing at a promotional function for McLaren team sponsor Vodafone, saw it differently.

"I don't particularly look at it as a joke," he said. "It's something that's happened but it's in the past and you've got to look forward. What's most important for me is that I know I have a lot of support, especially from my UK fans.

"I go to all these countries and I do see my fellow-countrymen holding up the flag and it makes me very proud to see that. All the other stuff, you can put it behind you and forget about it."

Hamilton, who beat Ferrari's Brazilian Massa by a single point at Interlagos, was Spaniard Alonso's team mate and title rival at McLaren last season and the Briton has been the target of racial abuse from Spanish fans.

The governing International Automobile Federation launched an anti-racism campaign after blacked-up spectators appeared at a test session in Barcelona in February, while others shouted abuse at the driver.

Another controversy erupted before last weekend's title-deciding race when British newspapers highlighted hundreds of hate messages posted on a Spanish website targeting the Briton.

Hamilton's father Anthony said earlier this week that the racial taunts and abuse had made him doubt whether his son should be competing in the sport.

Reuters

Comment 193 - 212 of 212

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  1. Seen above in the article "Hamilton's father Anthony said earlier this week that the racial taunts and abuse had made him doubt whether his son should be competing in the sport" How pathetic is that, so when we screamed abuse at Schumy, because he was German or Prost because he was French did they sniff and say they would deprive us of their presence in F1....no, so what is that silly man on about??He should be banned from the trackside for bringing the sport into disrepute, and he should take driving lessons too!

    From Raymond L, on Thu 4 Dec 9:56AM
  2. if hammy is so keen to get the racism issue into F1, so that he can blackmail us all into not saying anything against him or his driving. (feeble git that he is) why then is he dressing and talking like a white person. Hammy is a F1's version of Michael Jackson.

    From Raymond L, on Thu 4 Dec 9:51AM
  3. thanks for proving my point about you ollie. :)

    From Yaz, on Wed 12 Nov 10:24PM
  4. yes ollieboyyy, we all know you cried your eyes out at the end of that race, screaming 'fix' and 'conspiracy' to Glock at the top of your voice, but do you keep having to remind us all of how much it hurt you? ;) Isn't it time you grew up and accepted the result like a man? :)

    From Yaz, on Wed 12 Nov 12:37AM
  5. OK I ADMIT I CHEATED!!! SLOWED DOWN MORE THAN I SHOULD,,,BUT IT WAS ONLY CAUSE HAMMY HAD NO OTHER MATES ON THE CIRCUIT,,FELT SORRY FOR HIM,,THOUGH 18 SECS IN 1 LAP DOES TAKE THE PISS A BIT..PLEASE FORGIVE ME..

    KIND REGARDS
    TEAM O GLOCK

    From , on Tue 11 Nov 7:56PM
  6. I said "and I'm show he'll manage to do so", which of course whould have been "and I'm SURE he'll manage to do so". :)

    From Yaz, on Sat 8 Nov 12:28PM
  7. The "'sensationaliized' reporting", as you put it, is a totally different discussion and therefore bears no relevence to your claims that McLaren do not work as a team and that McLaren show favouritism towards Lewis. You said the fact that Ferrari and not McLaren won the constructor's is proof of this. I showed you that it's not. Next season, it will be up to Kovalainen to raise his game, not for others to drop their's, and I'm show he'll manage to do so.

    From Yaz, on Sat 8 Nov 12:26PM
  8. dr_yassam... thus, according to you, history repeats itself... that is, it's 'another' championship, won by 'another' driver... the only 'amazing' thing is that it's a british driver and nothing else... would you then explain to me the 'sensationaliized' reporting this year is getting?? i'd appreciate it...

    From sagittarius1958, on Sat 8 Nov 11:17AM
  9. sagittarius1958, McLaren are as much a team as Ferrari, that's why they were SECOND in the constructor's championship this year, with BMW third. Last year McLaren would have been first if were not for the punishment and disqualification. So your opinion is ridiculous. And as for being a showcase for one driver, people use to say that about Michael Schumacher, including his years at Ferrari, because talented drivers like that always stand out. Same with Lewis. In fact, just like Lewis, when Schumacher won his first F1 championship in 1994 with Benneton, it was another team, Williams, who won the constructors. So this is not something new or unprecedented.

    From Yaz, on Sat 8 Nov 9:50AM
  10. gentlemen, the reason ferrari won the constructor's and mclaren did NOT is simple... ferrari is a TEAM, it is NOT a showcase for 'one' driver who is fullly backed by all the resources it has... unlike mclaren, both drivers at ferrari were treated with due respect... and if hamilton signs with mclaren 'for life' kovalainen should send out his curriculum vitae...

    From sagittarius1958, on Sat 8 Nov 4:03AM
  11. gentlemen, the reason ferrari won the constructor's and mclaren did NOT is simple... ferrari is a TEAM, it is NOT a showcase for 'one' driver who is fullly backed by all the resources it has... unlike mclaren, both drivers at ferrari were treated with due respect... and if hamilton signs with mclaren 'for life' kovalainen should send out his curriculum vitae...

    From sagittarius1958, on Sat 8 Nov 4:01AM
  12. I agree doctor. It certainly was an exciting end.
    However, I only ALMOST felt sorry for Massa and his family. Then I remembered those he'd screwed over during the season and thought "what goes around ..."
    I certainly didn't feel sorry for Ferrari tho! If only Kovaleinen had got better results they would have lost the constructors, too.
    Next year is looking good already.

    From Count Louis Zborowski, on Fri 7 Nov 10:12PM
  13. So going back to F1, and to pick up on the point I made earlier, the end of the final race was a fantastic sporting moment, and Lewis definitely deserves the title (as he did last year, but was unfortunate).
    That said, I couldn't help feel sorry for Massa, who comes across as a very likeable individual. I especially felt sorry for his Father and family as they went from euthoria to sadness within a matter of seconds at the end of that race. Massa fans this year must have felt the way Lewis fans felt last year. Still, the positive for Massa at least is that this year has been great for his reputation as a driver and potential winner in the future.
    Next season, with all the changes, should be very interesting. I can't wait.

    From Yaz, on Fri 7 Nov 9:56PM
  14. As expected I had a very warm reception with my well intentioned message. Thanks to you all for keeping up and coming with your pathetic screams, little girls.

    julie4fernando, are you part of that bunch of small brain sad people? That's a pity. I had hoped to be friends with you as you also support the very best driver that F1 has at the moment. Not youuuu cry baby Lewis!

    Everything is fictional and we all are having a laugh, right?? Whatever.

    From AndJustice4All, on Fri 7 Nov 8:33PM
  15. Rav A
    Big Joe ain't finished wi' you boy.

    From Big Bad Mad Joe, on Fri 7 Nov 8:14PM
  16. Invalid comment, I am going to scream.

    From Julie4Fernando, on Fri 7 Nov 8:11PM
  17. No problem saggi, you're welcome - you sound as though you need an anti-bitter pill. Can't be much fun in your world.

    From m.e.jenner@..., on Fri 7 Nov 8:09PM
  18. Bigbadmajolie, I'm finished with you, I don't mix with f.ags. Don't comment on my posts and stay away. That's my last comment to you. Btw,I must be twice your age, so don't bother. Go home, go back to your mommy.

    From Rav A, on Fri 7 Nov 8:04PM
  19. I said before that I hate hatred and I hate any reference to race, origins...If you Guys keep on talking about Black president, black champion, then you're retarded people. Ask yourself a question: Why the whole world loves Ali? Certainly not because of what he looks or his religion. Ali is a gigantic human figure because of his human qualities and he is the greatest athlete of all times.

    From Rav A, on Fri 7 Nov 7:59PM
  20. Bill Mac I think Big Jessy has gone somewhere else and I think you're right about Rav A and mouron.

    From Julie4Fernando, on Fri 7 Nov 7:55PM
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