Lewis Hamilton Slams Bernie Ecclestone Over Claims Black People Are 'More Racist'

Asked how he had formed this view, Ecclestone said: "[It's just] things over the years that I've noticed, and there's no need for it. I'm against injustice for anyone, whatever colour they are. It's important to do something about that for a start."

Six-time Formula One world champion Hamilton responded to Ecclestone in an Instagram story, describing his remarks as 'ignorant and uneducated'.

The 35-year-old said: "Damn, I just don't even know where to start with this one. So sad and disappointing to read these comments.

"Bernie is out of the sport and a different generation but this is exactly what is wrong - ignorant and uneducated comments which show us how far we as a society need to go before real equality can happen."

He continued: "It makes complete sense to me now that nothing was said or done to make our sport more diverse or to address the racial abuse I received throughout my career.

"If someone who has run the sport for decades has such a lack of understanding of the deep routed issues we as black people deal with every day, how can we expect all the people who work under him to understand. It starts at the top.

"Now the time has come for change. I will not stop pushing to create an inclusive future for our sport with equal opportunity for all.

"To create a world that provides equal opportunity for minorities. I will continue to use my voice to represent those who don't have one, and to speak for those who are underrepresented to provide an opportunity to have a chance in our sport."

Hamilton went on to say that fans at a race in Spain in 2008 in blackface who wore t-shirts with 'Hamilton's family' written across the front did 'unacceptable damage'. However, Ecclestone said in his interview with CNN that he should never have taken it seriously.

He said: "I'm surprised that it concerns him. I'm really unhappy if he took it seriously. I never thought he did. I didn't think it affected him."