Six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has labelled Bernie Ecclestone ‘uneducated and ignorant’ following his comments surrounding racism.
Taking to social media, like Hamilton often does, the now 31-year-old voiced his opinion on the comment of Ecclestone.
Hamilton started the statement off by expressing his disappointment as he said: “[It’s] so sad and disappointing to read these comments.”
The F1 superstar also went on to say: "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.”
Hamilton also took a dig at the management of Formula 1, explaining how he received no support as a result of racism.
He said: "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.”
Hamilton, a massive supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, has been spotted at the forefront of the protests around London, and specifically Hyde Park.
The British sporting icon’s outburst stemmed from an interview with USA broadcaster CNN, where Ecclestone responded to the Black Lives Matter campaign by saying: "In lots of cases black people are more racist than what white people are.”
Eighty-nine-year-old Ecclestone also went on to say: “I'm against injustice for anyone, whatever colour they are. It's important to do something about that for a start."
Alongside the lengthy outburst towards Ecclestone, Hamilton also posted a picture of fans who were ‘blacked up’ and the effect this had on him.
The fans had grey wigs and black face paint on their face resembling Hamilton’s skin colour. They also had plain white t-shirts which had ‘Hamilton’s family’ drawn on them with black pen.
Speaking out about the fans, Hamilton said: “I remember this like it was yesterday. The damage things like this do to people is unacceptable.”
Ecclestone in reply to Hamilton’s comments surrounding the ‘blacked up’ fans was again uneducated and typical of views from his generation.
Ecclestone 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."
Hamilton further expressed his disappointment for Ecclestone and Formula 1.
He said: "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."
You have to respect Hamilton’s efforts to create a more inclusive sport for racers of future generations.
The British superstar also added: "[We need] 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."