Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has played down the racism row surrounding Lewis Hamilton, insisting it has been blown out of proportion.

The newly-crowned world champion was abused during pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, in February.

Some spectators were pictured mocking Hamilton by wearing wigs, dark make-up and t-shirts with the slogan 'Hamilton's Family'.

And in the run up to last weekend's pivotal Brazilian Grand Prix, hundreds of abusive messages were posted on a website in Spain, many of them racist.

However, Ecclestone today moved to defuse the row.

"I think it's all nonsense," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "In Spain people were supporting (Fernando) Alonso and in Sao Paolo they were supporting Felipe (Massa).

"I don't think it was anything to do with racism.

"There were a few people in Spain and that was probably beginning as a joke rather than anything abusive.

"I think people look and read into things that are not there. All those things are all a bit of a joke and people are entitled to support who they want to support.

"I don't see why people should have been (insulted by it). These things are people expressing themselves."


So, what would he have considered racist then? Placards saying 'Hamilton is a nigger'? I have never wanted to give the tw*t a slap more than I do right now!

Apologies for the 'N' word, by the way. A word I hate, and have only used as an example of dreadful racism.

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

Agree 100%. Also, I think he's South African so doesn't have high regard for Lewis' ethnic race anyway...and a Ferrari driver didn't win the title!

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

It's Max "Of course I didn't dress as a Nazi for those prostitutes" Moseley that wants Ferrari to win everything.

Bernie is a big Hamilton fan, mainly due to the amount of money he brings in.

However I also agree with Lissa.

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

F1 would be a whole load better if it Mosley and Ecclestone had nothing to do with it anymore.

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

I,ve heard enough of the racial stuff recently from sport,news,politics,etc-you'd think a dude in ecclestones position would know when to keep his gob shut-its ok to have your own opinion on issues like this but if your in the public domain and you allow them to come out hell mend you.

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

I'd say thats a bit narrow minded and shallow... just becos he MAY be South African he has to be a racist???

and by the way

Ecclestone was born in St Peter South Elmham, a small hamlet three miles south of Bungay, Suffolk.

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

Bernie Eccleston...ain't he the guy who stole Andy Warhols wig?

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

Funny how there's all this palaver with Ross, Brand and Clarkson, none of which were deliberately trying to cause harm, then this Eccleston fella who doesn't seem to know what an insult is, let alone whether or not its intentional :rolleyes:

Blatantly obvious they weren't trying to support but then it's the same sort of thing, they could just be thinking it's a joke. If everyone had the same sense of humour, there'd be nothing for the journalists to report on these past couple of weeks! :lol:

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

Please don't assume that all white South Africans are racist. I know a few who are very nice people and definately not racist.

Re: Bernie ******* Ecclestone
 

Yarp same here. The ones I know are all top folk.

Bernie Ecclestone however comes across as a right tw4t.