Lewis Hamilton will be another white F1 Champion?

Question

It baffles me to read that Lewis Hamilton will be the first black F1 world Champion despite the fact that he is of mixed race.

His mum is white and his dad is black, so why is it always said that he is black? is it because being black gives you special treatment these days?

As far as i can see the only role model related to Lewis Hamilton is his father - he is a role model for black fathers to stick with their children.

Lewis will be the first mixed race F1 champion if he wins in Brazil.

Jingo, you are correct there may be other mixed race winners but I am not aware of any and i was simply makig a point that Lewis is mixed race not black or white.

Answer 1

You raise a valid point that Mclaren and Bernie are using his skin colour to gain more sponsors and gain a new segment of the TV audience. They always show his black dad on TV and never his white mom. The media is always mentioning his skin colour,

"Lewis Hamilton Could Be the First Black Man to Compete in Formula 1"

"McLaren sign up first black F1 driver"

"Hamilton first black driver to win F1 race"

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Hamilton is a talented driver, period. Why doesn't the media mention his skin colour when he fails too? It sounds as ridiculous as using it when he wins.

"Lewis Hamilton, first black driver to get stuck in a gravel trap"

Answer 2

Maybe it's because people see more of his dad than his mum. His dad is always at the race tracks so people consider Lewis a black. But I think it doesn't bother Lewis what people think he is; he just wants to be the best F1 driver.

Answer 3

Doesn't matter what race he is or anyone for that matter. This fact of Hamilton labelled black is due to the press, Just because he's got a different skin tone. And since we see more of his dad than his mum, I guess people tend to categorize him as black.

If Hamilton becomes World Champion, I think the world should see him as a rookie who won the title and the hero of the British. (They haven't had a World Champion since Damon Hill in 1996 you know).

Answer 4

What about all the other mixed race winners in the past. Surely you don't have to have a black parent to qualify as mixed race.

Edit - OK Dale, I see where you are coming from. I think the real issue is that - like Tiger Woods - he is so 'different'. He isn't a stereotypical caucasian. And anything different is often the cause of increased media interest. Plus - as someone else has already pointed out - he's a Brit. We all get a bit panicky when we start winning things!

Answer 5

I agree with neogriff on this, Lewis Hamilton is mixed race, who cares?
I think more should be made of that fact that he is 22 and possibly about to win one of the richest prizes in international sport through sheer hard work determination and with a focussed and equally determined father.

Wonder what his mother makes of all this? or would she ruin the politically correct black spin?

Answer 6

The question makes an excellent point. Hamilton is as much white as he is black. Its the media who refer to him as "black" instead of mixed race because its seen as more of a story if a black Britain is doing well at F1.

Answer 7

To me Lewis Hamilton will be a F1 Champion, I do not care what color he is, race/color makes no difference to me..People are People, we just happen to come in all shapes,colors,nationalities.... he is a great driver and the first rookie to win the F1 Championship...

Answer 8

Jacques Villeneuve

Answer 9

I agree with Jingo and neogriff. And by the way judging from his skin color, it is fair for him to be called black. When his skin color is black on one side and white on the other is when we've got ourselves a classification problem. But anyways, does it really matter? It's skills, racing and the cars we pay attention to or should.

Answer 10

I totally agree m8. Why are all mixed race people classed as black? I thought black was a pure race just like being white? People like tiger woods who are classed as black when they are clearly not.