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October 17th, 2007, 10:21 AM
Spain's top motor racing official has blasted "racist" Brits for being hypocritical for supporting Britain's black Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, who could become World Champion on Sunday in just his debut season. In fact, the Spaniard is being hypocritical as it was Spanish fans who made monkey chants at England's black footballs a few years ago when the two teams met in Madrid, it was Spanish coach Luis Aragones who once called black French footballer Thierry Henry "a monkey" and it is Spanish Formula 1 fans who are making racist comments about Lewis Hamilton on the internet.
Hamilton is Formula 1's first black driver.
Racism row hits Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton ... targeted
Racism row hits Lewis Hamilton
By CHARLIE WYETT
The Sun
17th October 2007
GRAND Prix sensation Lewis Hamilton was caught in a racism row last night after shocking comments by Spain’s top motor racing official.
Carlos Gracia claimed Britain is a racist country and said it was ironic that Brit fans were counting on a black driver.
Hamilton, 22, is poised to become the first rookie ever to win the F1 title.
The McLaren driver needs to finish second in Brazil on Sunday to be sure of landing the crown. His biggest rival is his Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso.
Gracia — who will be a guest of McLaren at the race — sparked fury by saying: “It is perfectly normal for a British team and British fans wanting to succeed in F1, but it is ironic that the racists in England are having to rely on a coloured pilot.”
Former driver Johnny Herbert said: “These comments are just outrageous. What a very strange thing to say.”
Spanish racists have also posted sick videos and comments about Hamilton on the internet. One said: “Black man of ****.”
Furious
It follows a disgusting outburst by Spanish footie coach Luis Aragones, who caused outrage by calling ex-Arsenal ace Thierry Henry “a monkey”.
Gracia is now certain to be given the cold shoulder by Hamilton when they meet in Brazil.
He is only a guest of McLaren because he asked for an independent F1 delegate to be present to ensure fair play.
There is intense rivalry between Hamilton and reigning champ Alonso, who is furious at not getting priority treatment.
Ex-Jaguar driver Herbert added: “Both Alonso and Gracia are behaving like kids. It’s very sad.”
Gracia claimed his comments were misinterpreted.
He said: “What I meant was England has been looking for a Formula 1 idol for years and no matter who he was they were going to give him all their support.
“There was no racist element to what I said.”
thesun.co.uk
Spain's top motor racing official has blasted "racist" Brits for being hypocritical for supporting Britain's black Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, who could become World Champion on Sunday in just his debut season. In fact, the Spaniard is being hypocritical as it was Spanish fans who made monkey chants at England's black footballs a few years ago when the two teams met in Madrid, it was Spanish coach Luis Aragones who once called black French footballer Thierry Henry "a monkey" and it is Spanish Formula 1 fans who are making racist comments about Lewis Hamilton on the internet.
Hamilton is Formula 1's first black driver.
Racism row hits Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton ... targeted
Racism row hits Lewis Hamilton
By CHARLIE WYETT
The Sun
17th October 2007
GRAND Prix sensation Lewis Hamilton was caught in a racism row last night after shocking comments by Spain’s top motor racing official.
Carlos Gracia claimed Britain is a racist country and said it was ironic that Brit fans were counting on a black driver.
Hamilton, 22, is poised to become the first rookie ever to win the F1 title.
The McLaren driver needs to finish second in Brazil on Sunday to be sure of landing the crown. His biggest rival is his Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso.
Gracia — who will be a guest of McLaren at the race — sparked fury by saying: “It is perfectly normal for a British team and British fans wanting to succeed in F1, but it is ironic that the racists in England are having to rely on a coloured pilot.”
Former driver Johnny Herbert said: “These comments are just outrageous. What a very strange thing to say.”
Spanish racists have also posted sick videos and comments about Hamilton on the internet. One said: “Black man of ****.”
Furious
It follows a disgusting outburst by Spanish footie coach Luis Aragones, who caused outrage by calling ex-Arsenal ace Thierry Henry “a monkey”.
Gracia is now certain to be given the cold shoulder by Hamilton when they meet in Brazil.
He is only a guest of McLaren because he asked for an independent F1 delegate to be present to ensure fair play.
There is intense rivalry between Hamilton and reigning champ Alonso, who is furious at not getting priority treatment.
Ex-Jaguar driver Herbert added: “Both Alonso and Gracia are behaving like kids. It’s very sad.”
Gracia claimed his comments were misinterpreted.
He said: “What I meant was England has been looking for a Formula 1 idol for years and no matter who he was they were going to give him all their support.
“There was no racist element to what I said.”
thesun.co.uk
