Bernie: Anti-racism drive unnecessary

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone reckons the launch of an anti-racism campaign in the sport is unnecessary as he believes the racist scenes at the recent Barcelona test were an “isolated incident”.

The FIA this week confirmed it will launch the ‘Racing Against Racism’ initiative at the Spanish Grand Prix in April in a bid to drive home the message that racism will not be tolerated in F1 in the wake of the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton in testing.

Ecclestone reckons the creation of the campaign has been an over-reaction as it will give coverage to the small minority of people who caused the trouble.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.......Article conts (-)

Teams applaud FIA anti-racism campaign

Jonathan Noble

The FIA's plans to launch an anti-racism campaign in motorsport later this year have been applauded by a number of Formula One teams.

'Racing against Racism' will be officially launched at the Spanish Grand Prix as a way of showing that racism will not be tolerated in motorsport. Teams, drivers and circuits will all be asked to throw their weight behind the campaign.

The idea received immediate support from McLaren, whose driver Lewis Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse at a Spanish test recently, and other teams have now followed suit.

Toyota president John Howett told autosport.com: "Panasonic Toyota Racing supports any efforts to combat racism and we fully endorse the stance being adopted by the FIA."

Red Bull Racing's Christian Horner added: "We applaud the FIA's efforts on this front. Racism has no part to play in any sport, let alone motor racing."

Super Aguri's Daniel Audetto said his team were sure to sign up as supporters of the campaign......Article conts (-)

Related article

FIA to launch anti-racism campaign at Spanish GP
Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Formula One's governing body has asked teams, drivers and track owners to back a "Racing against Racism" campaign to be launched at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

The move by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) follows abuse directed at McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, the sport's first black driver, by Spanish spectators at a recent test in Barcelona.

The same Circuit de Catalunya hosts the Spanish Grand Prix on April 27.

The FIA warned the Spanish authorities and circuits after that incident that the country's two grands prix -- the other is in Valencia in August -- could be at risk if there was any repeat.

Speaking a day after Hamilton returned to Spain to test with his Mercedes-powered team at the southern Jerez circuit, an FIA spokesman repeated the world body's determination to stamp out the problem......Article conts (-)