|
FIA campaign launches racism backlash |
In response to the racist scenes witnessed during the Formula 1 group test in Barcelona earlier this month, the FIA has announced a new 'Racing Against Racism' campaign, to be launched, somewhat pertinently, at the Spanish Grand Prix at the same track at the end of April.
Lewis Hamilton – the first black driver in the sport's history – was subjected to jeers and taunts at the Circuit de Catalunya just over a week ago, and insulted when he moved between the McLaren-Mercedes motorhome in the paddock and the pit-lane. Though the circuit directors have vowed there will be no repeat during the grand prix weekend, preventative action has already been taken.
"The FIA was appalled by the scenes of racist abuse targeted at Lewis Hamilton," international news agency
Reuters quotes a spokesman for the sport's governing body as having said. "Such behaviour runs counter to the fundamental principles of equality enshrined in the FIA's statutes.
"Formula 1 is a global, multicultural sport and has never encountered such scenes before and will not tolerate them in future.”
The global project is, indeed, unprecedented within Formula 1, and a clear message from the governing body that racism will not be stood for. The FIA hopes to work alongside all teams, drivers and circuits within motor racing in putting together and promoting the initiative, with a meeting due to be held at next week's Barcelona test to discuss initial ideas.
One possibility is the construction of a website where fans can register their support for the campaign, not unlike that which has successfully complemented the FIA's
Make Roads Safe initiative. The governing body will also talk to groups in other similarly-affected sports such as football “to take on board what they have learned”.
In 2004, Spanish football fans ridiculed Rio Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips with monkey chants during an international match in Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium, for which the Spanish Football Association was fined £44,750. Just a month earlier, Spain's national football coach Luis Aragones had been forced to pay £2,000 for making derogatory comments about former Arsenal star Thierry Henry.
"International motorsport can reach a huge global audience to send out positive messages of racial and sporting equality,” the FIA spokesman added. “We will be encouraging all those involved in motorsport to support our new campaign, from recent world champions to the next generation of potential champions at the grass roots of our sport."
A McLaren spokesman added that the Woking-based outfit applauded the project and would support it “in whatever way we can”.
"We fervently hope that the racist behaviour of a tiny minority of so-called Formula 1 fans at a recent Barcelona test was an isolated incident that will not be repeated elsewhere," the spokesman underlined.
