Hamilton: Racism no joke

World champion insists issue is behind him

Last updated: 7th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hamilton: Racism no joke

Hamilton: It's in the past

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Lewis Hamilton has hit back at suggestions by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that the abuse directed at the newly crowned champion was 'a joke'.

Hamilton received racial insults during pre-season testing in Barcelona and there were similar undertones prior to the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix last week.

But Ecclestone recently claimed in an interview that 'it was just people expressing themselves' and that 'it was all a bit of a joke'.

However, Hamilton felt compelled to speak out over the issue, which he takes very seriously.

"I didn't see it as a joke. It's something that happened but it is in the past," he said.

"What's more important to me is that I had a lot of support, especially from UK fans.

"As long as I have my country behind me it makes me very proud. It makes me very proud to see my fellow countrymen holding up the flag.

"All the other stuff I need to put behind me. I don't generally keep up with what's being said and I haven't read what Bernie said.

"But I know Bernie and have a huge amount of respect for him."

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