F1 chief urged to quit amid racism storm

Published on Thursday 6 November 2008 23:09

ANTI-RACISM campaigners have branded Bernie Ecclestone's comments on the racist abuse of Lewis Hamilton as "shameful" – and called for the Formula 1 chief to leave the sport.

Ecclestone described the antics of some spectators wearing wigs and dark make-up at pre-season testing in Barcelona last February as "a joke".

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "In Spain, people were supporting (Fernando] Alonso and, in Sao Paulo, they were supporting Felipe (Massa]. 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."

Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula 1 history, sees 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." But former Chelsea and Celtic defender Paul Elliott, an ambassador for European campaigners FARE, has questioned whether Ecclestone should be in the sport.

He said: "The comments are shameful and disgraceful. Lewis Hamilton has made a colossal contribution to the country and the sport, and the sport has a duty of care to protect him and his family. Bernie Ecclestone is not fit to be in that environment and he should resign. There has to be zero tolerance. However successful he (Ecclestone] is, it is clear he is out of touch with the 21st century. It is totally out of order, unacceptable and he should move over."

Elliott feels Hamilton should work under the same laws as the rest of the country, where racism is not tolerated. "Hamilton should be working in a racism-free environment, as should his father," he added. "Ecclestone is an investor in QPR Football Club, who have a diverse support. What are their players thinking now? If they got racial abuse, would he say that is acceptable in the modern game?"