The fact that his color is noticed but so understatedly trumpeted shows we have a long way to go! After all it is not his color that is driving the car!! I’m more interested that he can achieve his goal of winning the world championship in his first season. After this I will consider if he is mixed race, afro- carribean. black, black-carribean, black-african, or other!

TUNDE, London,

The media appears to categorise everyone into black and white. Everyone who is not causcasian is black. This is wrong and not conducive to community development and will no doubt add to the "I hate anything white" strain that is growing.

I really can't see how an Indian person can be categoised as black. They are asian?

If we must categorise on race, why do we not refer to the races: afro/caribean/negro; caucasian; hispanic; asian and of course mixed race! This way there is no bi-polar competition (good:evil almost!) everybody can be proud of their own race and no races are directly competitive against each other?

Yes, written by a caucasian man fed up with this continuous race argument.

Neil, Birmingham, England

There is no doubt that his colour is an inspiration to many as many people have been victims of prejudice.
m oyite, coulsdon surrey, united kindom

Name one single black person, or mixed race person, who has been prejudiced in F1 because of their colour and I will accept that Lewis is an inspiration for them because "have been victims of prejudice". If you can't do that, I won't.

HG, London, UK

Lewis should by celebrated by everyone. Its all about where he has been and where he is trying to get .There is no doubt that his colour is an inspiration to many as many people have been victims of prejudice. I would like to stress the fact that his humbleness and his father's mentoring has put him where he is.

m oyite, coulsdon surrey, united kindom

i'm completely mystified if not absolutely dumbfounded by some of the comments that I read on here!...is Lewis Hamilton was white, he would definitely be heralded as pure brilliance and his performance very befitting of an 'elite' race performing thus...as soon as one in even 1% less white, the white folks will be the first ones to make emphasis of that biological reality.

now the reality of the matter here is that Lewis is black (by societal standards)...and its perfectly okey for people to make a meal out of his debut into this predominantly white only sport as a black person..so yes skin colour is an issue and Lewis has been labeled black at birth by society so dont blame the media for making emphasis of his race...now that a black person is doing a brilliant job, white people should feel a need to remind the world that he is half white - ha, how convenient!

come you people; you cannot have your cake and eat it!. Lewis is black - so just deal with it!...

Obediah, Vancouver, BC, Canada

People. Ways of categorising people are rarely accurate and in the case of 'race' are clearly socially constructed, but they do have real connotations and consequences.

As sweet as you all may be, you guys commenting on the 'irrelevance' of skin colour are viewing the world as you (and I) would like it to be rather than how it is. And missing the point. What's keeping the issue of race in society today is that around the world race matters (to different degrees), even when other factors are taken out of it.

The point is, raising such a well adjusted kid means instilling in him a knowledge of self and also a knowledge of other people's stereotypes (both imposed and self-imposed) if only to avoid self-perpetuating them.

Ignoring the obstacle in the road, ain't gonna stop your car from getting wrecked. Just like fatalism doesn't help you get to your destinationany better.

Nigel, Essex, UK

I agree with Carlos, King Hamilton is brilliant, and if he keeps the track , no doubt he can be one of greatest ever.....
And is a role model no because he is black, or british or whatever, but because, he fought hard , got a lot of talent and he will get there.....

Pedro Ngalaxi, Caxito, Angoola

I don't understand why he's not white? It's a case of the glass half full (or empty) as far as I'm concerned. I feel quite discriminated against because everyone is glorifying his black half and not his white half. (His mother must really get aggravated since her white genes are completely dismissed in every article I have read on this young man.)

Doesn't anyone understand that these completely mindless and inane arguements and discussions are what is keeping race an issue in society today?

JUST IGNORE IT. GET OVER YOURSELVES.
Be proud of yourself for your accomplishments, your children's accomplishments, and if you're lucky enough, the accomplishments of your ancestors.

This is a boy, who appears to have been raised with a sense of self, and proper values. I doubt his father encouraged him by telling him he could be one of the first race car drivers of 'color'. Why don't you all try figuring out how his father raised such a well-adjusted kid, and maybe discuss that!

Kristine, La Jolla, California

I can't actually believe most of this thread regarding Hamilton is about the colour of his skin......focus people, this is about him as an awesome sportsman who has a fighting chance of winning the F1 championship. Skin colour is completely irrelevant. This country is lossing it.

Jess, London,

Why the fact that his girl friend came from Hong Kong is a draw back?
Why spoils it with such a judgemental remark?
Wing, Poole, UK

Wing, she moved back to Hong Kong earlier this year, and I think that's what the author of this article was trying to refer to - a long distance relationship, not any problem with her nationality.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

It is obvious he is black but still it must be said.

Jonathan, London,

Yawn. He's not black. He's mixed race. It really is laughable how some of you are trying to cover up his whiteness for some "black struggle" purpose. I suppose if he was an armed robber, he wouldn't be black he'd be a white guy.

James, London, UK

1. You need to get off the colour issue...yes, he's not white...so what? It shouldn't be used as something to single him out, no matter whether it's for good or bad purposes

2. Are we all forgetting a certain Mr. Villeneuve...who in his first season at Williams gave Damon Hill a run for his money and almost took the championship out from under his nose...as a rookie? Hamilton's good...and is amazing to watch...I'm a fan myself, but let's not burden him too much too soon

Pritesh, London, UK

I congratulate Lewis Hamilton on a so-far extraordinary series of results and wish him well for the future. But let's not get carried away. The ability to drive a Formula 1 racing car faster than the competition doesn't make anyone a 'truly remarkable human being'.

Ronald Currie, Francheville, France

Why the fact that his girl friend came from Hong Kong is a draw back? Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant, sophisticated and metropolitan cities in the world. With more millionaires(or billionaires) per square mile than anywhere else in the world. This article is about the
exceptional achievement of a very talented coloured person.
Why spoils it with such a judgemental remark? By the way I
have to declare my interest in the matter I came from Honk Kong and I'm very proud of it because Hong Kong is a great city by any standard.

Wing, Poole, UK

Yes He's Talented
Yes he is on a strataspheric rise and deservedly so
Yes He's British
Lewis was a revalation in GP2 last year and took a standing ovation from an unusally packed crowd at Silvertone on the Saturday before the GP

But why oh why must we keep making a reference to his skin colour?

Lewis hasn't made an issue of it but the media seem intent to keep refering to it and I for one find it really annoying.

If the fact that Lewis is black opens up F1 to a wider audience then great! and I conceed the marketing people (like they did with Tiger) will love it and use it to their advantage.
But can we not just celebrate that he is an amazing BRITISH talent flying the flag in a British team.
Lewis is not the first black F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan became the 1st indian driver whrn he raced for Jordan and he is far from whiite.
We keep harping on in the UK about social integration but hcan't wait to highlight our differences the moment an opportunity arises.

David Swift, Torquay, UK

He has just won his first F1 race and you are already comparing him to people like Schumacher, Woods, Beckham....Don't you think you are going a bit to far?
My god!!! you are making such a big deal with this guy!!! Why don't you wait until he really becomes world champion!!!! Only then he´ll be somebody.

rub, B'ham,

Lewis is an exceptionally gifted racer, the level of dedication and professionalism is remarkable for a 22 year old.

Why is there so much discussion about his colour - Black, brown pink or blue, who cares! Just keep winning son!

Scott, Hove, Sussex

Well done Lewis!

James, Winchester,

I agree with Laura Roberts - the colour of a person's skin has no place in this article - or others like it.

oh - and the article is factually incorrect . Wasn't there an Indian racing driver a while back - or was he considered to be a different colour black.

Come on people. Lewis is a remarkable sportsman - and he is British. Support him and enjoy his successes

Roger Dowle, Koh Samui, Thailand

Fabulous performances, coolness and maturity beyond your years. The rest of the pack look like and are overrated sunday drivers, no wonder schuey had it so easy for do long.

Bring on the likes of nelson piquet junior, seb bourdais, gary paffet, lets have a clear out of all the slow old has beens and give the kids a chance.

gilbo, Raunds, northants

You'd think that TAG Heuer would give him watch with a strap the right size, wouldn't you? (Witness the problems he has with it on the podium!)

Bucko, Liverpool,

So what if he's black? He's obviously an extremely talented driver and has got a massive career ahead of him, I can't believe people are still banging on about race in this day and age, especially after the likes of Tiger Woods & Michael Jordan, or the untold endlessly talented black athletes.

Nice one Lewis - Britain's proud of you

Vimto, London,

His skin colour does play a role because this mixed driver has broken into arena what was dominated by solely white drivers. So he is a role model for mixed race people and people of colour.
A.T. Martin, Warsaw, Poland

But why is he a role model because of the colour of his skin? You're surely not suggesting, shock, horror, that there is a difference between the races? Either there is - so tell us, what is it? Or there isn't in which case he's not a role model to certain racial groups only, he's just another driver who has won. Which is it?

HG, London, UK

Laura Roberts is quite right, he is no a black man or a green man but a fantastic young man who, with the help of his family has had to fight to be the best in the world. F1 has always been dominated by the hooray henrys who govern most of British sport. Let us hope that he keeps his feet on the ground and continues to give us what we have been missing for years a true British Hero.
Good luck Lewis.

Kevin Hayes, Southport, UK

I do think the hysteria is getting a little much. So he's won one race. It' s one race. We shall see if he can keep it up.

He is also, already, demonstrating signs of an extremely unattractive arrogance (see the comment about "monkeys" above).

Martin, Hereford, England

Is Lewis Hamilton black? He looks more mixed race (white mother black father?) to me.
When Halley Berry was hailed as the first "black" woman to be awarded an Oscar, nobody mentioned that her mother was white.
Am I being Politically Incorrect?

David G. Rand, Norwich,

Yes he is black but please let that not be the determining factor of this absolutly gifted chap.
Yusuf, London

Er, no he's not black. He's half black and half white. You might has well write "Yes he is white but please let that not be the determining factor....".

Can we please:
1. Stop referring to him as black as if we're ashamed of his whiteness.
2. Forget what colour he is altogether and concentrate on the sport.

James, London, UK

It is obvious he is black but still it must be said.

We have struggled long and hard to overcome all sorts of barriers - actual and structural. Hamilton's progress is another milestone in our progress.

As quaint as it may sound, it is only 25 years ago that Viv Anderson became the first black footballer to play for England.

Also, even if you wanted to look at it from a only a commercial perspective, Hamilton's will attract a new demographic and new interest in the sport - just as Tiger Woods did.

So for example, before Tiger Woods, I never watched much golf. Similarly, before Lewis Hamilton, I never watched much Formula 1.

My fervent hope is that the day will come when such milestones are irrelevant and non-sensical. Until then, we should welcome each and every one of them.

Jonathan, London,

Let's forget is skin colour for a minute.
He is brilliant and handsome, he has a long life of success before him.
Good luck.

Marion, Oxford,

His skin colour does play a role because this mixed driver has broken into arena what was dominated by solely white drivers. So he is a role model for mixed race people and people of colour.

A.T. Martin, Warsaw, Poland

A star was forged in the foundries of destiny...Truly a remarkable human being. Yes he is black but please let that not be the determining factor of this absolutly gifted chap. When we all asked who would dominate the sport more than Schuey did?We had no answers. In Lewis we have the answer. Lewis please continue to listen to your father, Ron Dennis and who ever else is giving you the brilliant advice that keeps you so composed and down to earth. All hail a new King.Long live King Lewis.

Yusuf, London,

Why does it have to be about black or white..... for god's sake.

He is a good sportsman, regardless of the colour of his skin.

louisa, London, UK

Let's hear it too for the black role model Dad. I've lost count of the interviews I've read with black celebs whose fathers all walked out on them when they were young - this is a refreshing change

Jane , London,

"And there is no escaping that, like Woods, Hamilton is black". Actually there is lots of escaping from it.

First, you don't have to mention the colour of sportspeople, as it's simply not relevant.

Second, seeing as the press is obsessed with his race, I suggest you stop continuing the lie that he is black. His father is black, his mother is white. He is thus mixed race, not black. He is as much white as he is black - 50/50. By constantly referring to him as black you are denying his whiteness. Why do you all want to do that?

Well done Lewis for your sporting achievement.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

This you man is ultra cool and could be a longtime winner. He is pure class. He's black ! I never noticed.Who cares.Go for it son....

Alan, Newmarket, Suffolk

Why is skin colour an issue? His age and quick rise to stardom should be the subjects discussed. We sound like we're breaking colour barriers in the sport.

Justin Gallego, Shenzhen, China

Good for him, a roll model for all, black or white!

DannyJ, West Midlands, UK

I don't care about his skin colour. He's a man who's reached for his dream and got it.

Well done Lewis Hamilton, you deserve every success.

Neal, Wokingham,

Yes, he's black. And it's not football or basketball, so he's more Tiger than David Beckham, a brilliant young and handsome black man dominating white men's sport... King Hamilton.

Talking about basketball, this boy can be F1's Michael Jordan, the one who really changed "corporate" sport.

Jose Carlos, Luanda, Angola