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[Ineluke]

As we are aware the Spanish or should i say some Spanish spectators have shown how pathetic they are by making racist taunts about lewis again. The last thread that had this topic in has been moved to the anything goes section because it went of topic. I was one of the people that helped it to get relocated because i had to voice my concerns over some of the comments made in the thread. I have made this new thread hoping we can stay on topic because it's only fair that we discuss this just like we all discussed the Lewis Lying saga for weeks on end.

The question i am asking is this... Is F1 institutionally racist, meaning does it run from the top down to the bottom.

Last year after the first racist saga in Spain,Bernie went onto the British radio channel called BBC 5LIVE. He was asked about the incident but his answer was very surprising and left the presenter wondering what this man is really about.

He apparently saw not racism in the behaviour of the bigot crowd who had painted their faces and insulted Lewis and his family.

If Bernie does not think it was racist then what chance have we got to eradicate this behaviour..

Listen here 06.05 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/7712538.stm

Lewis reaction http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 712544.stm

If Bernie does not think it was racist then what chance have we got to eradicate this behaviour..

One year later and here we are again..

[Denthúl]

Bernie will say and do anything to protect the image of Formula One, you can't take his words as being worth anything. I don't think that Formula One has a race issue, I think a small minority of Spanish fans have a race issue as was demonstrated on Sunday and indeed during the winter testing session where this first came to light. The events most certainly were of a racist nature and all Bernie is trying to do is pathetically defend his brand.

[Jensonb]

Your question is "Is F1 institutionally racist?"?

The answer's no.

[Jabberwocky]

Your question is "Is F1 institutionally racist?"?

The answer's no.

Agreed you can not tar everyone with the same brush because of one Spanish supporter.

[Ineluke]

Bernie will say and do anything to protect the image of Formula One, you can't take his words as being worth anything. I don't think that Formula One has a race issue, I think a small minority of Spanish fans have a race issue as was demonstrated on Sunday and indeed during the winter testing session where this first came to light. The events most certainly were of a racist nature and all Bernie is trying to do is pathetically defend his brand.

I would of thought that denial that it was racist would hurt his brand more than help it.This is my point,if Bernie is in denial about racism in F1,which going by his reaction seems true,then what chance is their to stop this behaviour.Saying that you can't take his word at anything is ridicules to say the least,and a cop out.The fact remains is that Bernie did not see any racism in the behaviour of some of the people at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2008.

Now we move forward to 2009 and here we are again at the same venue discussing the very same subject.

I know many of you don't like Lewis and probably deep down could not care less and don't want to talk about it,i mean it's not as juicy as him lying and keeping the topic going on here for weeks on end but i will continue to fight the cause and keep this topic in the limelight.

Racism is IMO very alive in F1.

Max Mosley is a whole other topic.

[Denthúl]

Bernie will say and do anything to protect the image of Formula One, you can't take his words as being worth anything. I don't think that Formula One has a race issue, I think a small minority of Spanish fans have a race issue as was demonstrated on Sunday and indeed during the winter testing session where this first came to light. The events most certainly were of a racist nature and all Bernie is trying to do is pathetically defend his brand.

I would of thought that denial that it was racist would hurt his brand more than help it.This is my point,if Bernie is in denial about racism in F1,which going by his reaction seems true,then what chance is their to stop this behaviour.Saying that you can't take his word at anything is ridicules to say the least,and a cop out.The fact remains is that Bernie did not see any racism in the behaviour of some of the people at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2008.

Now we move forward to 2009 and here we are again at the same venue discussing the very same subject.

I know many of you don't like Lewis and probably deep down could not care less and don't want to talk about it,i mean it's not as juicy as him lying and keeping the topic going on here for weeks on end but i will continue to fight the cause and keep this topic in the limelight.

Racism is IMO very alive in F1.

Max Mosley is a whole other topic.

I don't think it's a case of him not seeing the racism there - it's hard not to, even if you're from Bernie's generation. He had to be denying it, because it was clear as day. And whilst it may be ridiculous to say that you can't take his word as being worth anything, it's the truth - the man lies through his teeth! Just look at his comments changing from one week to the next. The man is constantly telling lies

[Jabberwocky]

If racism is so rife in F1, then why has Lewis got a seat at all? Why didn't the FIA ban him for the whole of this season for lie-gate? I am sure that they could of come up with any number of reason to stop lewis in his championship year.

However Racism covers more than just white and black, what about the eastern world, there has been a lot of Japanese drivers, a lot of money comes from all other areas of the world that could be classed as racism.

[7UpJordan]

Bernie will tune his opinion to whatever money is coming in. If Catalunya was paying him poorly and had crap facilities (his reason why he wants Silverstone off) he would probably ditch it. Now if that happened at Silverstone he'd have it off the calendar quicker than you could say double-decker-diffuser.

[Ineluke]

Your question is "Is F1 institutionally racist?"?

The answer's no.

Agreed you can not tar everyone with the same brush because of one Spanish supporter.

It wasn't one supporter last year from what i can recall it was a whole stand,or doesn't last year count?

Have you forgotten last year at the same Grand Prix..

Let's not forget he had racist abuse before the Brazilian Grand Prix as well.

[Ineluke]

If racism is so rife in F1, then why has Lewis got a seat at all? Why didn't the FIA ban him for the whole of this season for lie-gate? I am sure that they could of come up with any number of reason to stop lewis in his championship year.

However Racism covers more than just white and black, what about the eastern world, there has been a lot of Japanese drivers, a lot of money comes from all other areas of the world that could be classed as racism.

Hence the word Racism and not the mention of black or white.

The topic heading actually say Racism in F1 not Racism against blacks in F1..

[Ineluke]

If racism is so rife in F1, then why has Lewis got a seat at all? Why didn't the FIA ban him for the whole of this season for lie-gate? I am sure that they could of come up with any number of reason to stop lewis in his championship year.

However Racism covers more than just white and black, what about the eastern world, there has been a lot of Japanese drivers, a lot of money comes from all other areas of the world that could be classed as racism.

Hence the word Racism and not the mention of black or white.

The topic heading actually say Racism in F1 not Racism against blacks in F1..

Lewis just happens to be the one who is at the receiving end at the moment,plus he is not black,he is mixed race or had you not noticed that.

[Jabberwocky]

well as I have already said, no it is not institutionally racist, because the actions for the fans have nothing to do with the institution.

in·sti·tu·tion·al (nst-tsh-nl, -ty-)
adj.
1. Of or relating to an institution or institutions.
2. Organized as or forming an institution: institutional religion.
3. Characteristic or suggestive of an institution, especially in being uniform, dull, or unimaginative: institutional furniture; a pale institutional green.
4. Of or relating to the principles or institutes of a subject such as law.

[scotty]

Aside from these two incidents in Spain, can anyone give a couple other examples of racist activity we've seen in F1 over the years? Cause i can't think of any, but if this problem is so 'rife', there must be loads and loads right?

[Ineluke]

well as I have already said, no it is not institutionally racist, because the actions for the fans have nothing to do with the institution.

in·sti·tu·tion·al (nst-tsh-nl, -ty-)
adj.
1. Of or relating to an institution or institutions.
2. Organized as or forming an institution: institutional religion.
3. Characteristic or suggestive of an institution, especially in being uniform, dull, or unimaginative: institutional furniture; a pale institutional green.
4. Of or relating to the principles or institutes of a subject such as law.

Wow, you really are intelligent..

Bernie is the institution or part of it. One would ask the question about Bernie and Max ,going on Bernie's comments and Max Mosley behaviour.

These two are part of the institution.

Nice try though..

[Jabberwocky]

What has Bernie or Max done that is racist?