Friday 25th April 2008

F1 Launches Anti-Racism Campaign

F1 bosses choose Spain to launch their 'Everyrace' campaign

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Hamilton suffered racism in Spain

Formula One chiefs have launched an anti-racism campaign in the wake of abuse suffered by Lewis Hamilton in Spain.

The ‘Everyrace’ campaign was unveiled at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

McLaren driver Hamilton says he has put the racist taunting he suffered earlier in the year behind him, and hopes to close a five-point on championship leader Kimi Raikkonen this weekend.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said at the launch of the new campaign: ‘The sport is about a driver's ability and this will never have anything to do with their race or skin colour.’

Under-fire FIA president Max Mosley was not in Barcelona to endorse the plan, but said in a statement: ‘One thing that most attracted me to motor sport was that nobody cared about your background, race, gender or religion; all that mattered was how quick you were.’

Despite the racist abuse and the fact some Spanish fans still hold a grudge against Hamilton after his battle with Spaniard Fernando Alonso last season, the British driver said he was looking forward to the weekend’s race.

‘The Circuit de Catalunya is a great track, there are so many enthusiastic fans which makes for a great atmosphere,’ he said.

After winning the opening race in Australia Hamilton has struggled to find his form this season.

He said he had learnt from his 13th place in Bahrain.

‘I realised that when things go wrong at the beginning of the race I need to use damage limitation,’ he added.

‘I fell back to 10th and then tried to regain my positions early on, and that was a big mistake.

‘I will also make sure what happened at the beginning of the race [when he stalled on the grid] never happens again.’

[GingerWizard]

Lewis you best not stall that car again m'boy!

[varsas]

Quite right, too. I know people who don't like Kimi because of things he's said/supposed to have done but he's a great driver, so I like him.

[CypherP]

Im just looking forward to un-interrupted racing once the beeb get their hands back on F1 broadcasting again.. As for Hamilton, he's a superb driver and dealing with the competition of both more experienced and high ranking drivers very well.

He's just a brilliant bloke imo.

[jacobyte]

Why does the FIA need a campaign against racism? If anything they're detracting from the actual sport. They should stick to looking after the specific interests of automobiles and racing, not socio-political agenda. By all means, denounce racism, but putting effort into a specific campaign is incongruous and looks odd.

Diversionary tactics, no doubt...

[Dancin]

And Max isn't there to show is support!

[sirtyro]

Not sure why Max hasnt left yet. Must have some balls to start an anti-racist campaign when his father was a fascist and he got caught with his trousers down pretending to be a nazi. His position now must be un-attainable.

Good luck this weekend lewis

[Wonky]

Yeah, what a load of PR BS. Why don't they just STFU and get on with racing?

[wab172uk]

jacobyte said:

Why does the FIA need a campaign against racism?

If they did nothing though, they'd be accused of Racism themselves.

There damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[jacobyte]

wab172uk said:

jacobyte said:

Why does the FIA need a campaign against racism?

If they did nothing though, they'd be accused of Racism themselves.

There damned if they do, damned if they don't.

But they have done something. They have already stated their position that racism won't be tolerated. That's spot on - it's all they need to do.

There's no need to spend time and money setting up a focus group to decide what the name of the campaign should be, then send press releases around the world, etc.

It's hard not to be cynical in the circumstances.

[chunkymonkey71]

Why dont they have a campaign against kinky nazi sex???

[thiscocks]

God, why don't they just leave it alone. Making a 'campaign' out of it is just making an issue out of nothing.

[Mr Whippy]

Exactly, a proper racist won't see this campaign and go "oh, ok, today i'll stop being a racist now you've said it's not nice"

Dave

[Rob_R]

Mr Whippy said:

Exactly, a proper racist won't see this campaign and go "oh, ok, today i'll stop being a racist now you've said it's not nice"

Dave

Precisely. This campaign just simply isn't needed. I imagine Lewis just wants to get on with his job and put all this palava behind him. Anti-racism campaigns were done way back when and this will achieve precious little if anything at all.

[robwales]

Dancin said:

And Max isn't there to show is support!

Max is at the Jordan round of the WRC which he was invited to by the king.

[kma]

the spanish seem racist as fk, a little campaign is going to make no difference

[stephen300o]

CypherP said:

Im just looking forward to un-interrupted racing once the beeb get their hands back on F1 broadcasting again.. As for Hamilton, he's a superb driver and dealing with the competition of both more experienced and high ranking drivers very well.

He's just a brilliant bloke imo.

Yep, what other driver would offer other drivers coffee while they were going past.

[anonymous-user]

Lewis didnt stall on the grid. Can't these writers get their stories acurate anymore, they are always full of holes. Boils my piss.

[adyfc]

They can shove their anti-racism campaign, some people are racist some aren't, who cares, tough if you dont like it.

[timewatch]

Quote'‘ "I fell back to 10th and then tried to regain my positions early on, and that was a big mistake."

Are they talking about Max Mosley here ?



TW>>>

[flattotheboards]

jacobyte said:

wab172uk said:

jacobyte said:

Why does the FIA need a campaign against racism?

If they did nothing though, they'd be accused of Racism themselves.

There damned if they do, damned if they don't.

But they have done something. They have already stated their position that racism won't be tolerated. That's spot on - it's all they need to do.

There's no need to spend time and money setting up a focus group to decide what the name of the campaign should be, then send press releases around the world, etc.

It's hard not to be cynical in the circumstances.

Its just to build an image that they really wont stand for racism, i thought that it was enough to say that it wont be tolerated any more.