Formula One news

Ecclestone clears air with Hamilton

Bernie Ecclestone has called Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony to clarify remarks reported in the press when he was criticised for seeming to make light of the racist abuse Hamilton has at times encountered.

"I've spoken with Lewis' dad Anthony and he understand what I meant, everything's fine," Ecclestone told the BBC. "People should remember that I was the one to take F1 out of South Africa because of apartheid, so no one can say I'm against black people."

"I deal with Lewis and his dad all the time," he added. "We are good friends and I even play cards with Anthony. I have even had many black people come up and shake my hand and thank me for helping to get Lewis into F1."

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