There was frantic blame-shifting when everything in Asia seemed to be going wrong; now there is a race to claim credit when some things have started to go right.

It's only the first race, but this is credit to the people in Italy, the mechanics and President [Luca] di Montezemolo, the 28-year-old Spaniard said after recording his 22nd career victory.

The tribute paid him by sportswriter Jimmy Cannon—“A credit to his race, the human race”—sounds condescending now, but it reflected the impact that Louis had on white perceptions.