In 2007, Lewis Hamilton became the first black person to enter
into a Formula 1 session. It wasn't deemed controversial. Unlike
other parts of life, the colour of his skin wasn't an issue. Whilst
the drivers weren't sure what to make of him, by 2007, he had
showed his ability to race and stamped down that he had arrived in
Formula One. He was runner up, and won the driver's championship in
2008.
But it was in that first 2007 that Hamilton was teamed up with
Alonso, the two time world champion. It's well known that the
season didn't go to plan. Alonso and Hamilton famously didn't get
along, leading to Alonso leaving McLaren to go back to Renault. It
was the return to Spain the next year that Hamilton began to have
problems with the Spanish fans. They were very upset that Hamilton
had shown up their national treasure, leading to some fans painting
their faces and claiming they were Hamilton's family whilst other
were verbally abusive towards him. The FIA took action, shook their
fingers at the Spanish authorities. They also started the "Race
Against Racism" campaign, in support of Hamilton and to help create
a multi-cultural sport. The FIA took the racism very seriously.
So, how does Hamilton repay them? Fast forward to Monaco 2011.
Hamilton's start of the session has been over shone by a young
German. He's clearly been frustrated by Red Bull's out performing
car. And at Monaco, it clearly hit a head. Hamilton's weekend
didn't begin badly but any little thing that could go wrong, did go
wrong. He received two penalties, One after a dangerous overtaking
move on Massa, and the second - given after the race - for another
dangerous overtaking move on Maldonado. It was after the second
penalty that Hamilton said very controversial comments about the
stewards. He was interviewed by Lee McKenzie for the BBC, he quoted
Ali G, claiming that the continuous visits to the stewards after
the race was based on his skin colour. You can tell in the
interview that Lee McKenzie was shocked by his comments. Martin
Bundle, BBC commentator, also expressed his shock on Twitter at
Lewis had actually gone and played 'the race card'.
Dismayed at these comments, I had to view the two moves again.
The first was on Massa. It started at the hairpin when Hamilton
made a messy attempt to overtake Massa without any success.
Hamilton tried to over take him at the potentially most dangerous
area of the track, down the tunnel. They were side by side, Massa
on the dirty side with all the rubber marbles. It was never going
to be pretty and after the accident, Massa was safe. Hamilton was
foolish but yet, he got on his radio and was quick to blame Massa
for the accident. Fast forward to after the red flag, the quick fix
on Hamilton's rear wing and the restart, the second incident was on
Maldonado. Hamilton went on the inside of Maldonado, where there
was clearly no room to get pass, causing Hamilton to hit Maldonado.
It was a real shame since Williams needed the points, but more
importantly, this was Maldonado's first Monaco Grand Prix in an F1
car. It should have been special but sadly, it was ruined. But both
of these incidents had something in common. Hamilton appears to be
doing it out of complete frustration and desperation with one move
in a well known dangerous area of the track. But he appears to
blame them both rather than himself. The stewards had little choice
to punish Hamilton for the Maldonado incident. That isn't
victimisation. It's playing fair. So saying that he's being
victimised because of the colour of his skin wasn't right. The FIA
and Formula 1 supported Lewis during the hard times with the
Spanish fans so to suddenly go from being supportive to being
racist just isn't right at all.
There have been some developments since Sunday. Lewis Hamilton
went back to the Stewards and apologise for his comments, which
they accepted. He also has gone onto Twitter to say sorry to Massa
and Maldonado. But more importantly, he's said sorry to his fans. I
think that was an important step in all of this. Lots of children
are going to be looking up to him as a role model. No one should
play the race card. Definitely not in Formula 1. Everyone supported
him in his early career when he had problems with the minority of
Spanish fans who made it an issue. He should remember that.