FIA launches 'EveryRace campaign'.
The FIA, F1's governing body, launched its 'EveryRace campaign' at the Circuit de Catalunya today [Thursday], to send a message that discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society.
The campaign, which has the support of the whole F1 community, is a response to the racist incidents Lewis Hamilton was subjected to during F1 testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 1-2.
The FIA, F1's governing body, launched its 'EveryRace campaign' at the Circuit de Catalunya today [Thursday], to send a message that discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society.
The campaign, which has the support of the whole F1 community, is a response to the racist incidents Lewis Hamilton was subjected to during F1 testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 1-2.
"The FIA would encourage motor sport fans throughout the world to visit www.everyrace.net and take the opportunity to pledge their support for the campaign's message that motor sport welcomes everyone, irrespective of gender, race or background," read a statement from the FIA.
The FIA also went on to add that it has received a comprehensive report from the Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo (RFEA) following what happened during winter testing.
"The report included a detailed chronology of events in which the RFEA confirmed that a very small number of spectators amongst the 35,000 attending the test had displayed racist behaviour," the FIA continued.
"The FIA is grateful to the RFEA and the Catalunyan circuit authorities for their effective and efficient response to this situation.
"The FIA has monitored the measures recommended and implemented since February and has noted that no further such incidents have occurred.
"The FIA agrees with the RFEA assessment that the people involved in these incidents were 'not at all representative of the thousands of people who enjoy a convivial atmosphere and the spectacle offered by motor sport.'
"The FIA and the RFEA are committed to the principle of sport open to all. In order to further promote this fundamental principle the FIA has launched the EveryRace campaign."
Reigning world champion, Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton meanwhile were united in their support for the scheme.
"Since I started in motor racing I've worked with people from all over the world. We are all here to go racing and prejudice will never play any part in that," said the Ferrari #1.
"I believe that motor sport, like all other sports, is about freedom of expression in the pursuit of competition and excellence. Nothing more, nothing less," added Hamilton.
There thoughts were echoed down the pit-lane: "The sport is all about a driver's ability and this will never have anything to do with their race or the colour of their skin," summed-up F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone.
