Hamilton said it ‘felt strange to drive past homeless people and then arrive in a huge arena’.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has responded after he received criticism for suggesting India is “such a poor place” and questioned whether Formula One races should be held there.
The five-time Formula One world champion posted a response to social media, saying India is “one of the most beautiful places in the world” but reaffirming his point.
“Whilst it’s the (fastest) growing economy it also has a lot of poverty,” he wrote.
“My reference was that a Grand Prix there felt strange to drive past homeless people and then arrive in an huge arena where money was not an issue.”
The Indian Grand Prix was held three times between 2011 and 2013 at the Buddh International Circuit in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, as the 17th race of the Formula One season.
Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “They spent hundreds of millions on that track that is now never used. That money could have been spent on schools or homes for those in need.
“When we did have the race nobody came because it was too expensive most likely or no interest. However I have met some amazing Indian fans.”
Criticism of Hamilton began after he said he would prefer racing venues with “real racing history”, such as England, Germany, Italy and the US, after Vietnamese capital Hanoi was recently announced in the F1 calendar for 2020.
Lewis Hamilton (Online photo)
“I’ve been to Vietnam before and it is beautiful,” the 33-year-old told BBC Sport.
“I’ve been to India before to a race which was strange because India was such a poor place yet we had this massive, beautiful grand prix track made in the middle of nowhere.”
Indians took to social media to criticise Hamilton for his comments.
“No Lewis Hamilton, you are wrong,” wrote one Twitter user. “F1 needs to go to new countries to popularize the sport.
“I think it’s better you stick to racing and let the sponsors, marketing and branding teams for Formula 1 handle the race circuits. FYI F1 is hugely popular in India.”
Another wrote: “India is not poor but world’s sixth largest economy and fastest growing.
“Yes, it does have a large no. of poor and efforts are on to uplift them. Simultaneously, we have adequate (infrastructure), (people) amongst richest in world, a humongous middle class, and a market 4 big players.”
But Formula One expert Kunal Shah said the sport is not a priority in India, tweeting: “His comments aside, we just have different priorities as a developing country & economy. Let’s just accept & acknowledge that.”
Hamilton next races on Sunday November 25 in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the season.
The Englishman sealed his fifth world championship title at the Mexico Grand Prix in October, and is currently 81 points clear of second-placed Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bradley Cooper rocked a Dr. J jacket from his courtside seat at Game 6. The A-list actor had a few more 76ers fans join him Thursday night for Philadelphia's playoff game against New York — about 2,000 more courtesy of ticket giveaways from Sixers ownership.
The Sixers' strategy heading into Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series was to keep Knicks fans out of Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.
Team owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin joined forces Wednesday to buy more than 2,000 tickets they handed out to people who serve the Philadelphia community.
Wells Fargo Center seemed more like Madison Square Garden South during the Knicks' 97-92 win in Game 4 on Sunday, prompting Sixers star Joel Embiid to express frustration about the home-court disadvantage.
On Tuesday, the Sixers won 112-106 in overtime in New York to cut their deficit to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
After the 2,000-plus Game 6 tickets were bought in bulk, Rubin announced on social media they would be given to first responders, health care professionals and other Philadelphia-based organizations.
Ali Benner, a registered nurse at Penn Medicine, jumped on a mass email sent to hospital employees offering first-come, first-serve tickets. She got a free pair of seats in section 120 (behind one of the baskets) and attended the game with her boyfriend. Tickets in that section were being offered for about $1,000 for a pair on various secondary markets shortly before tipoff.
“I think I was just quick and lucky,” Benner said, wearing an Allen Iverson T-shirt.
Benner said she was probably going to watch Game 6 at a bar had she not received free tickets.
She said the New York takeover in Game 4 was “kind of sad” but credited Rubin and the Sixers for donating Game 6 tickets to Philadelphia-based organizations.
“I think it's pretty great,” she said. “Next week is Nurses' Appreciation week, so I think it's a really good way to kick it off and show some thanks to the healthcare workers.”
Dawn Staley, coach of the NCAA champion South Carolina women’s basketball team and a Philadelphia native, also asked fans to not sell their tickets to Knicks fans.
“We need everybody’s support, man,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse said.
Game 4 last Sunday in Philadelphia had a decidedly Knicks sound down the stretch.
“The Philadelphia fanbase is, I said this before, they’re very relentless and very passionate. I mean, I’m an Eagles fan, I would know,” said Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who won two national championships playing collegiately for Villanova. “But seeing the Knicks here and hearing the Knicks here, it was pretty cool and it’s awesome.”
Not for Embiid, who had to hear Brunson get louder chants of “MVP! MVP!” than the guy who actually won the award last season.
“I love our fans but it was unfortunate. I’m not calling them out, but it is disappointing,” Embiid said, adding that he’s aware that Knicks fans often make the short train trip for the road games.
“But never seen it (like Sunday) and I’ve been here for 10 years. Yeah, kind of (ticks) me off, especially because Philly is considered a sports town, so ... I don’t think that should happen. It’s not OK.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
New York Knicks fans cheer during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse reacts during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a turnover during the second half of Game 5 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, looks to shoot against New York Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein, right, during the first half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Actor Bradley Cooper watches warmsups ahead of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
