Irvine dismisses racism

Eurosport - Wed, 12 Nov 11:30:00 2008

Former Ferrari grand prix ace Eddie Irvine has dismissed the racist insults aimed at newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton as 'sticks and stones' - and suggested the McLaren-Mercedes star should rise above the abuse.

FORMULA 1 Eddie Irvine - 0

Irvine has joined David Coulthard and Mark Webber in insisting that F1 does not have a problem with racism - agreeing the recent jibes aimed at newly-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton were in "bad taste" but arguing they are not an issue "as long as they physically don't hurt anyone".

The remarks - posted on 'voodoo-style' Spanish website 'Pincha la Rueda de Hamilton' ('Burst Hamilton's Tyre') - provoked widespread condemnation and revulsion within the F1 paddock when they came to light shortly ahead of the title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos just over a week ago.

The reaction of the sport's commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone - seemingly suggesting Spanish supporters' blacked-out faces during a test in Barcelona earlier this year had been "probably meant as a joke" - elicited an angry response from anti-racism campaigners and even Hamilton himself.

Following Coulthard's insistence that "F1 may have many failings, but it does not come close to the racism you see in football", Irvine agreed that the whole matter has been blown out of all proportion, and suggested Hamilton should simply rise above the abuse.

"The world is full of people who are racists and we are never going to change that," the 43-year-old former Ferrari star said in his column for Virgin Media, dismissing the comments as the result of poor education.

"The world is full of people who like black people and people who like white people. Who cares?

"They can do what they want on the internet as long as they physically don't hurt anyone. I'm a big believer in 'sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me'.

"Call me what you want, I don't give a damn, leave it at that."

Irvine, a Northern Irishman who holds both British and Irish nationalities, was subjected to threats and harassment from sectarians after the Irish flag was raised following his podium finish at the 1997 Argentine Grand Prix.

Crash.Net / Eurosport

Comment 57 - 76 of 96

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  1. Agreed CK9 - The Demons have been unleashed on this site.

    From Ed, on Thu 13 Nov 1:11PM
  2. I feel the Hamilton family have been subject to racist abuse, this issue should be made public whenever it happens. I think the brunt has come from the spanish Alonso crowd, not that Alonso can do anything to stop this sort of behaviour from his fans. The people who dressed up in the Afro wigs with black painted faces should be band from attending F1, this was not sporting or a only a joke as our Bernie tried to pass it of as. It was wrong. No further comment needed, im sure the Hamilton family are now looking forward to title number two next year, one thing is sure they will not be affected by these small minded idiots.
    Eddie Irvine should get back to his booze, where he belongs. He was never up to much, even when it was handed to him on a plate he failed! A safe driver who never pushed the limits, he was in it for the glamour, money and to be a number two driver to a star.

    From Olly, on Thu 13 Nov 12:48PM
  3. Yes I heard also that there are many Indians (mama poondats) by the millions at the Little India in Singapurdi nearer to the Mustafa Centre!!! Have you been to Mustafa??? There, many Indians make Indian food & delicacies with added ingredients & residues from toilets visitations like Indian faeces on Indian hands & finger nails. Here, it's the normal process where these toileted hands discharges the Indian waste products in the roti pratas, roti chenais, tosais, briyani rice as well as curry with rats meat & fly larvaes to the perfect enjoyment of the unsuspecting customers!!! So folks, in future, eat Indian made food & delicacies at your own peril & risks!!! Satisfaction guaranteed but make sure you buy insurance!!! It's the truth!!! No racist remarks!!!

    From countdracula666@..., on Thu 13 Nov 12:32PM
  4. Are there any reasonable Fernando supporters on this site? That is non-racist, non-idiotic? etc

    From Julie4Fernando, on Thu 13 Nov 11:33AM
  5. Hello pondy and salsa, you should be back at school with toury.

    From Major Bumsore, on Thu 13 Nov 11:27AM
  6. so get back to racing

    we badly need successful opponents vibrant Ferrari aswell as well organised Maclaren

    enjoy & appreciate them all

    From salsa747, on Thu 13 Nov 10:25AM
  7. You just need to rise above it all as Eddie says
    If we say we dislike LH we are told we are racist .,., !

    However if we say we don't like Eddie Irvine it's accepted as a perfectly reasonable opinion

    this is a two faced World in every corner~~ Conflict in Lebanon,, Iran -Turkey ., etc~~ ad infinitum

    From salsa747, on Thu 13 Nov 10:23AM
  8. eaten your bananas today lewis?

    From pond.simba@..., on Thu 13 Nov 10:21AM
  9. history has always been the same ..,.! Greeks v Romans
    now its North Korea v South Korea ~~~~ India v Pakistan & even South India v the North

    All African countries abuse all others ~~ In Zimbabwe they even abuse each other ~~ You can continue

    From salsa747, on Thu 13 Nov 10:17AM
  10. if its racest for white british to have a go at hamilton it must also be racest for white british to have a go at ferrari as they are from italy or massa as he is from brazil so all the mucky laran fans are racest then :-)

    From U R SOLES, on Thu 13 Nov 9:43AM
  11. oh**

    **

    From susan4campbell, on Thu 13 Nov 6:57AM
  12. a wise man understands ^^^^ to remain silent when they are RIGHT

    From susan4campbell, on Thu 13 Nov 6:46AM
  13. yes reg we agree totally

    sadly in our area Shepherds Bush west London 82% muggings raids are by packs of hooded B%@£%$

    From susan4campbell, on Thu 13 Nov 6:45AM
  14. David, Eddie! Wise up guys. The words are indeed harmless, but the sticks and stones are always wielded out of sight on some poor bugger simply because some of the bigots are of the bullying kind hunting in packs. I know.

    From R, on Thu 13 Nov 1:02AM
  15. donald_donaldson14 wrote: "if U say you hate LH ~ it's racism
    if you say you hate Button ~ thats all OK"

    Tsk tsk donald, that's a gross simplification of the matter which just isn't true. :)

    From Yaz, on Wed 12 Nov 10:33PM
  16. If he is a Jew driver, this same people will be crying foul. He is black so where is the problem

    From dabpost, on Wed 12 Nov 9:34PM
  17. Just look at some of the racist coments that have been made on this site,they are absolutely disgusting.

    From IVORBENTONE, on Wed 12 Nov 9:06PM
  18. Yet another blind person who can not see his hand in front of his face.

    From IVORBENTONE, on Wed 12 Nov 9:03PM
  19. mrs quigley. bet you are.

    From touronroute, on Wed 12 Nov 8:44PM
  20. Misses Qigly.,, how dare u talk 2 my darling sun,,, like... that, u harlop.?!

    From Major Bumsore, on Wed 12 Nov 8:36PM
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