By Duncan Bech
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
LONDON (Ticker) -- Lewis Hamilton insists he does not share the
views of Bernie Ecclestone that the racist abuse he received
this year should be dismissed as a "joke".
Formula One boss Ecclestone made the claim when asked about the
insults directed at Hamilton during pre-season testing at the
Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, in February.
Some spectators were pictured mocking the newly-crowned world
champion by wearing wigs, dark make-up and T-shirts with the
slogan 'Hamilton's Family'.
In an attempt to defuse the row, Ecclestone declared it had been
blown out of proportion and stated he did not understand why the
scenes were insulting.
But Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula One history,
refused to trivialize what happened and revealed it was the
support of his fans that enabled him to overcome his anguish.
"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."
It was an astonishing outburst by Ecclestone, not least as the
FIA themselves launched an anti-racism campaign in response to
what occurred in Spain.
Hamilton was also targeted during the build-up to last weekend's
decisive Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, in which he finished
fifth to become the sport's youngest world champion.
Racist remarks were left on a web site, yet Ecclestone insisted
the row had been blown out of proportion.
"I think it's all nonsense. In Spain people were supporting
(Fernando) Alonso and in Sao Paulo they were supporting Felipe
(Massa)," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I don't think it was
anything to do with racism. There were a few people in Spain and
that was probably beginning as a joke rather than anything
abusive.
"I think people look and read into things that are not there.
All those things are all a bit of a joke and people are entitled
to support who they want to support. I don't see why people
should have been (insulted by it). These things are people
expressing themselves."
Ecclestone's comments failed to dent the euphoria Hamilton has
felt since claiming his first world championship on Sunday.
The 23-year-old had to field questions raging from his
girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the Pussycat
Dolls, to Barack Obama's victory in the US Presidential
elections at this morning's promotional event to launch the
BlackBerry Storm.
Demand for Hamilton has rocketed since his first title triumph
and he is happy to continue enjoying the privacy his residency
in Switzerland affords - at least for now.
"I wouldn't say I miss living in the UK. My family and team are
here and I'm very fortunate that every once in a while I get the
chance to come back and visit the place," he said. "But I'm
happy where I am. I don't know what the future holds for me or
where I plan to live.
"I love in being the States, around Europe and in Australia so I
don't know where I'll be in 10 years' time. But I grew up in the
UK and it will always be home."