Friday, 7 November 2008

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Lewis Hamilton victim of racist taunts

F1 World Champion won't let Spanish racing fans' jibes get to him

Lewis Hamilton took the F1 crown last Sunday in Brazil

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes Spanish spectators who blacked-up their faces and wore afro wigs to taunt World Champion Lewis Hamilton shouldn't be taken too seriously.

Bernie, 78, doesn't think the behaviour was malicious.

‘That was probably meant in the beginning as a joke rather than anything abusive,’ he told Radio 5 Live.

'I think people look and read into things that are not there.

'In Spain, people were supporting Alonso and in Sao Paulo they were supporting Felipe. I don't think it's anything to do with racism.'

Lewis, 23, says the jibes did upset him but he's determined not to let the controversy detract from his victory.

'I didn't see it as a joke,’ he tells the Daily Mail. ‘But it is in the past. What's more important to me is that I had a lot of support, especially from UK fans.

'It makes me very proud.'

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Alison Adey