Ecclestone tries to calm race row
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Yesterday Formula One supremo Ecclestone described it as "a bit of a joke" and said he did not think "it was anything to do with racism." "People should remember I was the one who pulled Formula One out of South Africa because of apartheid, so no one can say I am against black people," Ecclestone told PA Sport. "I have even had many black people come up and shake my hand and thank me for helping Lewis get into Formula One. "Formula One may have many failings, but it does not come close to the racism you see in people's first love, and that's football."
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