Hi Sheila Atuona; Having lived in south London and been subject to racism on many occasions, I do not agree with you - and having grown up in this country amongst my peers of many colours, I can only say it is you that seems remarkably prejudiced to me.

Andrew Iddon, London, UK

I agree with Sheila above. many white people haven´t got a clue about how it feels to be subjected to racism every day of your life.If black people dressed as ´polar bears´´ or ´pigs´wearing shirts depicting the family name of David Beckham at a football match,serious action would be taken period.

Daniela Busel, Minsk, Belarus

Dear David, take it easy. You should travel a bit more, and learn that things are not just the way the media present them. You are a victim of your own sin (consumerism). This is just a F1 show. Racism is not only an Spanish topic. Need to be told who patronized South African or American apartheid?

MANUEL MEGIAS, GRANADA, SPAIN

Hooray. One person albeit influential, makes a comment which is immediately misconstrued as 'shocking', 'disgraceful' by some who should have clarified with Bernie first exactly what he meant rather than going to the media. The last thing we want here is a load of Daily Mail fanatics sounding off!

Martin, Maidenhead, UK

Some of you are missing the point, namely Andrew Iddon. If you are white, male (and rich) and therefore HIGHLY UNLIKELY to suffer any prejudice, when others are submitted to bigoted comment, the least you should do is keep your mouth firmly shut. DO NOT comment on something you don't understand!

Sheila Atuona, London, UK

The Spanish sentiment is more nationalistic than racial. Their primary reason for disliking Lewis is that he is a bitter rival to Alonzo. It is unfortunate that they picked on his skin colour. Dwelling on the racial issue does no good to F1. Bernie simply wanted to set it aside.

Joon Sang Yu, Seoul, Korea

Why is it that people who have never been on the receiving end of such abuses always want to belittle it by dismissing it.
There is no place for racism in today's society whether you are in Spain , UK or Zimbabwe. Racism (discrimination by colour or race) is not always a physical act.

Femi, London, UK

This is the same man who said that wedding dresses should be white, because all domestic appliances should be white.
Insensitive yes, stupid yes, malicious probably not. The man is a dinosour from a different age, and does not consider the effects of his statements. It's the way he does business.

chris, shannon , Ireland

There should be no racism in sport or any where else, we show that as human beings we have not advanced very far. Those in Spain who behaved in this way should be denounced. Bernie Ecclestone made an error which I am sure he regrets-The silent majority must speak out against racism,genocide,etc.,

Sheila West, Guildford, Surrey

One should understand that different standards may apply in different countries. Behaviour and comments for which one would be crucified in Britain may still be quite acceptable, and considered merely funny, in countries where the race relations industry is still underdeveloped.

Andrew, Sliema, Malta

Whilst racism is undoubtedly wrong, it's modern conversion to a Taboo, where no differentiation is made, no scale of offense is gauged, is surely counterproductive. Sometimes it's just childish, pathetic behaviour; Sometimes we should see it as such - maybe it'll go away faster that way, eh?

Andrew Iddon, London, UK

The spanish have something to answer for, one only has to see the abuse black football players suffer in Spain... now GP... Mr Ecclestone.. if F1 is for whites only just say so... then pull grand prix out of every country but Europe... as for spain... I will never buy anything Spanish again..

david, London, England