Will Bernie Ecclestone Quit Over Racism Comments?

Lewis Hamilton has suffered from Racism on a few occasions this year, the most prominent of which was at the Circuit De Catalunya back in late February. Hamilton, who is the first black driver to compete in Formula One, was jeered by a handful of Spanish fans who wore black make-up, black wigs and t-shirts with the words "Hamilton's Family" emblazoned across them.

The FIA launched a racism campaign similar to that of the FA campaign to kick racism out of football. Backed by McLaren-Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and the FIA, it should have done well in calming the situation.

However most recently, a Spanish website owned by a global advertising agency was set-up with the aim in bursting Lewis Hamilton's tires. Spanish F1 fans (if you can call them that) flocked to the site to drop imaginary pins, needles, and other sharp objects on a mock Sao Paulo track.

This has obviously upset Lewis Hamilton, and was a little unexpected after Alonso declared he had nothing against Lewis. The FIA managed to track down the sites owner, and have it removed, whether the global ad agency will face any repercussions is unknown.

In light of the fresh racism, Bernie Ecclestone came out to brand the abuse suffered by Lewis as a "joke." In fact he said "I don't think it was anything to do with racism."

"There were a few people in Spain and that was probably beginning as a joke rather than anything abusive."

"I think people look and read into things that are not there. All those things are all a bit of a joke and people are entitled to support who they want to support."

"I don't see why people should have been (insulted by it). These things are people expressing themselves."

Bernie has now suffered a bit of stick, with racism campaigners calling for his resignation. Paul Elliot, ambassador for European campaigners FARE, and former Chelsea defender branded Ecclestone "out of touch with the 21st century" and is backing campaigners who are calling for him to quit.

Lewis Hamilton has also commented on Bernie's comments saying racism isn't a joke.

"I didn't see it as a joke, It's something that happened but it is in the past."

Lewis insists he still has a lot of respect for Mr. Ecclestone.

Will Bernie resign? It's extremely unlikely.