Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton admitted he was “sad and disappointed” by former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who had estimated black people are sometimes more racist that white people.
Ecclestone was questioned a few days ago by CNN about the creation by Hamilton of a diversity commission intended to attract more black people in motorsport.
“Damn, I just don’t even know where to start with this one. So sad and disappointing to read these comments.” Hamilton said.
“Bernie is out of the sport and a different generation but this is exactly what is wrong, ignorant and uneducated comments which show us how far we as a society need to go before real equality can happen.
“It makes complete sense to me now that nothing was said or done to make our sport more diverse or to address the racial abuse I received throughout my career.
“If someone who has run the sport for decades has such a lack of understanding of the deep routed issues we as black people deal with every day, how can we expect all the people who work under him to understand. It starts at the top.” Hamilton added.
Black people have limited professional opportunities in motorsport. In contrast, white people have many lucrative job opportunities in motorsport.
“Now the time has come for change. I will not stop pushing to create an inclusive future for our sport with equal opportunity for all.” Hamilton said.
“To create a world that provides equal opportunity for minorities. I will continue to use my voice to represent those who don’t have one, and to speak for those who are underrepresented to provide an opportunity to have a chance in our sport.” he added.
Hamilton is partly from Grenada, a small island in the West Indies that his paternal grandfather left to settle in England. He is currently the only black driver in F1 world championship.
