Hamilton: Maybe it's because I'm black

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by yodasarmpit

It was/is refreshing to hear drivers voice their opinion, however Hamilton went too far by claiming the FIA were racist. And I don't fully believe he was joking, more like a huge chip on his shoulder.

---

That's the whole thing - he wasn't claiming they were racist. It's called having a sense of humour. Was it funny? No, but it was quite obvious he was joking. The way it has been portrayed in the media though he doesn't have a chance, people believe what they read.

Should he have known better? Yes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daniel

Drink?!?!?!!?! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH YESH!!!!!

http://www.spaciousplanet.com/images...633534394.jpeg

---

"Where am I, whats that thing there, are those my feet?" Classic Jack line.

Drivers should be more outspoken. I miss the days when the drivers got out their cars, swigged a beer in public and said, "hurry up with this interview I've spotted a gorgeous blond in the pits that I want to take back to my hotel". Those were the days :p :

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by raphael_2

That's the whole thing - he wasn't claiming they were racist. It's called having a sense of humour. Was it funny? No, but it was quite obvious he was joking. The way it has been portrayed in the media though he doesn't have a chance, people believe what they read.

Should he have known better? Yes.

---

Hit, nail, head :up:

Are we still going on about this? No it wasn't a racist comment, it was just a dumb comment. Please lock this thread!

Yes lock it, all of us have a memory.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by henners88

Or a voodoo doll it seems.... :arrowed:

---

Forget, the monkeys at the back are to good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by henners88

Wise words from David Coulthard.
:monkeedan

---

Or " all of the backmakers". Arrogance, someone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by henners88

Are you even aware of where the 'monkey's in the back' comment actually came from?? At the time when the press jumped on Lewis for his comment David Coulthard came out and said that 'monkeys' is a commonly used term within the paddock to describe the backmarkers. Lewis was not exclusive in using that term, it just hadn't been heard on TV before and an opportunity was seized. I am sick to death of seeing people on forums have this explained to them. Quite frankly I'm astonished how little some people know about the subjects they are commenting on, and making stern judgements regarding such things.

---

Denial, OK that´s fine with me, the quote was on the F1 blogs at the time.l

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by henners88

Are you even aware of where the 'monkey's in the back' comment actually came from?? At the time when the press jumped on Lewis for his comment David Coulthard came out and said that 'monkeys' is a commonly used term within the paddock to describe the backmarkers. Lewis was not exclusive in using that term, it just hadn't been heard on TV before and an opportunity was seized. I am sick to death of seeing people on forums have this explained to them. Quite frankly I'm astonished how little some people know about the subjects they are commenting on, and making stern judgements regarding such things.

---

Calm down .
Mia's poking you in the ribs to get a rise out of you .
Relax .

To a certain degree she's right .
It might be a common term in the paddock , but it took Lewis to let this little secret out .

It's a jab in the ribs of the backmarker to call them monkeys , and one that , for whatever reason wasn't seen as fit to air in public . If it was as common as Coulthard said , then it was a pretty good secret , as it must have been around for some time .

Quite apart from the racist overtones that were also mooted at the time , I think the team collectively must have cringed because it was clear that they joke about the monkeys quite often in the McLaren camp , showing disdain and disrespect for the low end of the pack .
That's no way to make friends you might need if you're running through lapped traffic .

Essentially , they were learning that Lewis shoots himself in the foot quite often , and that they are in charge of cleaning up the mess .