Spain could lose F1 races because of racist taunting of Lewis Hamilton
5 hours ago
MADRID, Spain - Spain could lose both its Formula One races following the racist taunting of driver Lewis Hamilton by spectators.
The sport's ruling body said Monday the abuse aimed at F1's first black driver during weekend testing at the Barcelona circuit might result in sanctions. Punishment could lead to the removal of two races from the Grand Prix calendar - the Spanish Grand Prix on April 27 in Barcelona and the European GP on Aug. 24 at Valencia.
FIA, the governing organization, said it will write to Spanish authorities to learn what happened before making a decision.
"Formula One is a global, multicultural sport," FIA said. "It does not have scenes like this in its history and doesn't want to see scenes like this."
Hamilton finished second in the drivers' championship last year in his rookie season. Spectators aimed abusive gestures and shouted racist abuse at the 23-year-old driver when he moved between the McLaren motor home and the team's garage at the Montmelo circuit on Saturday.
A group of spectators wore wigs, dark makeup and T-shirts with the words "Hamilton's Family" scrawled on them. The circuit said Monday it may take legal action against those spectators involved in the racist taunts.
"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favourites," Hamilton told sportlifepress.com. "The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant."
In Spain, Hamilton is widely blamed for Fernando Alonso's failure to clinch a third straight championship last season after the Spaniard joined McLaren from Renault. Alonso, who has since rejoined Renault, finished third in the drivers' standings.
"I would like them (the Spanish fans) to understand my position," Hamilton said. "The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship. At no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando, but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."
McLaren said in a statement it has raced and tested on Spanish circuits for many years, and "everyone connected with the team regards Spain and the Spanish people with great affection, Lewis included."
British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe condemned the "sickening" conduct and said he would write to his Spanish counterpart to express concern.
"Racism should not be tolerated and this is not the first time British sportsmen have been racially abused in Spain," he said. "This brings in question whether the Grand Prix should be held at this track."
The Spanish motor sports federation expressed "absolute repulsion" at what it described as the actions of a few.
"These idiots that are confusing sporting rivalry with violence should be aware that the federation has a zero-tolerance approach to this issue," it said in a statement.
Circuit staff erected barriers around the team's paddock Saturday while banners making references to Hamilton and team boss Ron Dennis were removed. The stands directly above McLaren's garage were cleared to ensure no debris could be thrown down when the car returned to the pit lane.
Sunday's testing was incident free, with Hamilton stopping to sign autographs for fans and pose for pictures.
Circuit director Ramon Praderas said extra measures - increased security, more short-circuit video cameras - were already being planned for the Spanish Grand Prix. Praderas said he already requested a meeting with police.
Banners at testing in Valencia last month made remarks about Hamilton and Dennis, but did not take on a racist message. Those were subsequently removed by staff.
In 2004, England soccer players were subjected to racist abuse during an exhibition game in Madrid, days after national team coach Luis Aragones made a racist remark about then-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
FC Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o also attempted to leave the field after being subjected to monkey noises by Zaragoza fans during a league game in 2005.
t:
