Following racial comments directed at Junior WRC competitor McRae Kimathi in the lead up to this weekend’s Rally Sweden, the FIA has confirmed its stand against discrimination.
Kenya’s exceptional rally driver MacRae Kimathi was subjected to racial abuse on social media ahead of the Junior World Rally Championship (WRC) in Sweden this weekend.
On Kimathi’s pre-season test in Norway, some users on Junior WRC social media accounts used emojis that expressed racial hate against black people.
On Wednesday the motorsport governing body, FIA published a statement in response to racial comments addressed at McRae Kimathi on social media condemning the act and stating it does not have a place in motorsport.
The FIA statement read: “In the build-up to Rally Sweden, FIA Junior WRC competitor McRae Kimathi has been subjected to racial abuse on social media.”
“We condemn racist abuse and any form of discrimination towards our teams, competitors and fans and we will take all necessary steps to help ensure that any abuse is reported to the relevant authority.”
“We are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport and abuse must be highlighted and eliminated.”
“There is no place for it in our sport and in society.”
In wake of the situation WRC added: “The WRC does not tolerate racism in our sport.”
The 27-year-old, who is named after WRC legend and 1995 champion Colin McRae, is due to make his WRC debut this weekend after making a name for himself in the African rally scene after winning the junior title last year. Kimathi will compete in his first snow race this weekend, driving an M-Sport built Rally3 Fiesta.
Kimathi expressed his optimism that the task of navigating Sweden’s snow-covered roads would provide significant experience.
“I’m actually so excited, but I’m just scared of the cold!… We’re not really used to that type of weather – it’s normally sunshine all day long,” Kimathi joked on arrival in Norway for a pre-rally test.
“I’ve never been on snow before or anything like it, so it’s a completely new experience. For Sweden, we’ll just try and learn as much as possible to gain experience.”
“I want to learn the roads and the different surface, which will probably help me in the future.”
“If we want to be at the top level of the sport, we have to drive on every surface, so it’s better to start now when I have the chance. The Junior WRC is a great way to start.”
“The car is really fantastic and so good to drive. For this year, there are a few new upgrades with it and there will be a bit more power and torque, so it could be more of a challenge.”