F1 hit back as Bernie Ecclestone says black people often ‘more racist’ than white people
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/06/2020 at 19:46 GMT
F1 have responded to Bernie Ecclestone's comments made in an interview on Friday afternoon where he said "Black people are more racist than White people."
Bernie Ecclestone
Image credit: Getty Images
Formula 1 released an official statement on Friday evening saying: "At a time when unity is needed to tackle racism and inequality, we completely disagree with Bernie Ecclestone’s comments that have no place in Formula 1 or society.
Mr Ecclestone has played no role in Formula 1 since he left our organisation in 2017, his title Chairman Emeritus, being honorific, expired in January 2020.
In a wide-ranging interview about the current state of F1, the sport's former chief executive told CNN: "I don't think it's [Lewis Hamilton's diversity commission] going to do anything bad or good for Formula One.
"It'll just make people think which is more important. I think that's the same for everybody.
"People ought to think a little bit and think: 'Well, what the hell. Somebody's not the same as White people and Black people should think the same about White people.'
In lots of cases, Black people are more racist than what White people are.
Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is launching a commission to help motorsport engage more young people from black backgrounds and drive diversity.
Meanwhile, Formula One chairman Chase Carey has donated $1 million to set up a new foundation as part of an initiative to increase diversity in the sport.
Hamilton said this month he was "completely overcome with rage" as he urged people to speak out against racism.
Hamilton criticised his sport for its silence over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died in Minneapolis last month after a white U.S. police officer knelt on his neck.
"I’m surprised that (racism) concerns him (Hamilton) even… I’m really unhappy if he took it seriously," Ecclestone said.
I’m surprised if anyone in Formula 1, certainly the teams and the people like the promoters, have any concern about (racism).
Ecclestone, 89, was replaced as chief executive of Formula 1 in 2017 after nearly four decades in charge.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
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