In a sport where diversity has always been on the forefront, racism has now become an issue.
In the world of Formula One racing and in grand prix history we have always had people from different countries, cultures and races involved in the sport, whether they were team principals, drivers, mechanics, designers or other people behind the scenes in the garages and motorhomes.
A more divers sport could not be found, there has been Caucasians, Blacks, Asians and Hispanics drivers and people that come from almost every conceivable country on the planet.
Why is it then that only recently has race become such a headline in the world of Formula One? Recently at a testing session in early February at the Spanish track known as the Circuit de Catalunya McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton was said to have been taunted by a group of fans.
Some fans showed up with blackened faces and shirts that said “Hamilton’s family” on the front and “Alonso No 1” on the back.
"We didn't have the slightest intention of mocking anyone, much less laughing at [Hamilton] because of the color of his skin." said Toni Calderón one of the fans who painted his face.
He went on to say that he just wanted to bring some fun and humor to the track that day.
The main problem though lay with some other fans that had other slogans on banners and shouted racial slurs at the McLaren garage where Hamilton was.
Carlos Gracia, President of the Real Federacion Espanola de Automoviliso, however claimed that Spain should not be portrayed as a racist country.
"I wouldn't even call it a scandal, I would call it four or five yobs," he said and went on to say that he doesn’t even think that it was racism. "They did not at any time mean to offend Hamilton. It was carnival at the time."
He then went on to say that the British media and press in general were worsening the scandal.
Díez-Nicolás also went on to say that some recent surveys showed that racism in Spain tends to be lower than in Britain, Germany and France.
Nonetheless the FIA has now gone on to launch an official campaign against discrimination and prejudice in the sport with the name of “everyrace” and even established a website at www.everyrace.net where fans can pledge their support for the message that the governing body wants to promote. A message that everyone is welcome in Formula One irrespective of their gender, race or background.
Drivers and team principals have also given their support for the new campaign and at the recent Spanish Grand Prix which was held on April 27 where the new campaign was launched it seemed as if the fans took note.
The grand prix went off without a hitch and everyone, every race and every fan had a wonderful day at the races.
