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[McLaren Fan]

I love Autosport's cheap dig at the end:

"One of the things that most attracted me to motorsport was that nobody cared about your background, race, gender or religion; the only thing that mattered was how quick you were," said the Briton, whose father Oswald was leader of the pre-war British Union of Fascists.

"In that respect, it has always brought competitors and supporters from different countries together without a hint of trouble."

[al4x]

I love Autosport's cheap dig at the end:

"One of the things that most attracted me to motorsport was that nobody cared about your background, race, gender or religion; the only thing that mattered was how quick you were," said the Briton, whose father Oswald was leader of the pre-war British Union of Fascists.

"In that respect, it has always brought competitors and supporters from different countries together without a hint of trouble."

yeah, i found that bit very sly lol

[deMuRe]

From Planet f1

what the 'fan' meant

One of the spectators accused of racism at last weekend's Barcelona test has apologised for his actions, saying he never meant to offend Lewis Hamilton.

During last weekend's test at the Spanish track, Hamilton was verbally abused by some of the Spanish fans who also held up racist banners, insulting the Brit and his McLaren team.

The media in particular slammed four men after they arrived at the circuit wearing dark curly wigs, black make-up and T-shirts with the words 'Hamilton's family'.

However, Toni Calderon, who was part of the 'Hamilton's family' group, has defended his actions, saying he did not mean to offend Hamilton.

He told the Spanish daily Publico: "We went last Sunday and we dressed up to celebrate Carnival. We wanted to give a touch of humour to Montmelo and have a laugh at the father of Hamilton.

"We didn't have the slightest intention to laugh at anyone, nor to laugh at the British driver for the colour of his skin.

"I am not a racist and it has made me ashamed to appear like that in the British press. Also, as I am in the middle of the photo, I seem like the protagonist. This has angered me."

The Spanish lorry driver added that no one working security said a word to anyone in his group when they arrived dressed as 'Hamilton's family.'

"On the contrary, the people on security at the gate started laughing and let us pass," he said.

"In fact half the people who saw us thought we were fans of Hamilton. Lots of people took pictures of us.

"If I had known that this was going to happen, I would never have dressed up, but I want to be very clear that we never intended to offend.

"We haven't done anything wrong. I would not have any problem to explain it personally to McLaren and Lewis who is a star."

The FIA has launched an investigation and could ban Spain from holding two grands prix in Barcelona and Valencia later this year

Just goes to show how powerful the press is. I guess the Brits were missing somebody to hate after Schumacher retired, voila, another villain is served...

[darwin dali]

Hey demure, long time no hear! How's it going?

[deMuRe]

Really good DD, settling into London life gimping out for the start of the '08 season.

How about you?

[darwin dali]

Dealing with that white poo called snow and freezing temps - but other than that, hanging in there in my hibernating fetal position until March

[bud]

From Planet f1

what the 'fan' meant

One of the spectators accused of racism at last weekend's Barcelona test has apologised for his actions, saying he never meant to offend Lewis Hamilton.

During last weekend's test at the Spanish track, Hamilton was verbally abused by some of the Spanish fans who also held up racist banners, insulting the Brit and his McLaren team.

The media in particular slammed four men after they arrived at the circuit wearing dark curly wigs, black make-up and T-shirts with the words 'Hamilton's family'.

However, Toni Calderon, who was part of the 'Hamilton's family' group, has defended his actions, saying he did not mean to offend Hamilton.

He told the Spanish daily Publico: "We went last Sunday and we dressed up to celebrate Carnival. We wanted to give a touch of humour to Montmelo and have a laugh at the father of Hamilton.

"We didn't have the slightest intention to laugh at anyone, nor to laugh at the British driver for the colour of his skin.

"I am not a racist and it has made me ashamed to appear like that in the British press. Also, as I am in the middle of the photo, I seem like the protagonist. This has angered me."

The Spanish lorry driver added that no one working security said a word to anyone in his group when they arrived dressed as 'Hamilton's family.'

"On the contrary, the people on security at the gate started laughing and let us pass," he said.

"In fact half the people who saw us thought we were fans of Hamilton. Lots of people took pictures of us.

"If I had known that this was going to happen, I would never have dressed up, but I want to be very clear that we never intended to offend.

"We haven't done anything wrong. I would not have any problem to explain it personally to McLaren and Lewis who is a star."

The FIA has launched an investigation and could ban Spain from holding two grands prix in Barcelona and Valencia later this year

Just goes to show how powerful the press is. I guess the Brits were missing somebody to hate after Schumacher retired, voila, another villain is served...

Youre kidding arent you demure? you think these guys were not racist and were not taking the micky out of black people?
Also that dressing up aside did you not see the signs and what was said on them?
but ofcourse its just the brits who took it the wrong way huh!??

[AKR]

I think the Spanish are getting treated unfair. It was a minority few. All races and nationalties have a minor few idiots. This isn't about Spain Vs Britain. That would be obsurd. What if it were the other way around? What if a black man raced for a Spanish team (lets pretend one exists) along side a Brit. And then the Brit left on the same terms that Alonso did. And then they do testing on a British track and the black man that races for the Spanish team gets the same treatement as Hamilton did in Spain. Would the British media hype that up? Sometimes I truly wonder............................

[Martin]

I think the Spanish are getting treated unfair. It was a minority few. All races and nationalties have a minor few idiots. This isn't about Spain Vs Britain. That would be obsurd. What if it were the other way around? What if a black man raced for a Spanish team (lets pretend one exists) along side a Brit. And then the Brit left on the same terms that Alonso did. And then they do testing on a British track and the black man that races for the Spanish team gets the same treatement as Hamilton did in Spain. Would the British media hype that up? Sometimes I truly wonder............................

Good point AKR, but - yes I think that the British media would attack the morons that did that, as they do in football now. Although there are plenty of racists here in the England (many of them are immigrants themselves) I believe that society in general is more aware of racism, and racists are becoming very much on the fringes of society. Its not that long ago when racism was a normal part of the culture (1960s & 70s) but that has changed dramatically now.

[darwin dali]

Has it really?

[Jensonb]

Racism is disgraceful, but I think punishing all of Spain would be totally unfair. It's not like the track's owners can control what the fans think. Punish the people responsible alone.

[AKR]

Jensonb wrote : Racism is disgraceful, but I think punishing all of Spain would be totally unfair. It's not like the track's owners can control what the fans think. Punish the people responsible alone.

I totally agree.

[Stealthgate007]

F1's governing body will launch an anti-racism campaign at the 2008 Spanish grand prix, the FIA confirmed on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Paris based body said the FIA feels compelled to act after witnessing the behaviour of some Spanish spectators at the recent Barcelona test, the same circuit that will host the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

"The FIA was appalled by the scenes of racist abuse targeted at Lewis Hamilton," he said. "Formula one is a global, multicultural sport and has never encountered such scenes before and will not tolerate them in future.
"

The spokesman said all of motor sport's stakeholders will be encouraged to support the campaign, to be known as 'Racing against racism'.

A spokeswoman for McLaren Mercedes said the British outfit will be backing the FIA initiative.

[stonemonkey]

There are people in Britain who would behave like that, one big difference between Britain and Spain though is that they would never have been allowed past security like that and if they changed into those shirts, held up those banners and started behaving like that they would've been dealt with quickly without the need for anyone to complain. I thought those in authority in spain would've reacted in a similar manner and didn't realise they hadn't at first but then found out I was quite wrong.

[McLaren Fan]

There are people in Britain who would behave like that, one big difference between Britain and Spain though is that they would never have been allowed past security like that and if they changed into those shirts, held up those banners and started behaving like that they would've been dealt with quickly without the need for anyone to complain. I thought those in authority in spain would've reacted in a similar manner and didn't realise they hadn't at first but then found out I was quite wrong.

I have to be careful what I'm saying here, partly because I don't want to be tarring everybody with the one brush and it's tricky how to phrase the issue. Basically, the attitudes of people in Spain and Britain are slightly different. In Spain, there is not the same levels of political correctness and some subconscious racism (maybe in the same way sexism etc. can be an unconscious thing), so making a joke about a black person wouldn't seem quite as bad to some Spaniards as it maybe would for some in Britain. It's about re-educating people. It's too late for most people, but young children can still be taught racism is wrong.