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LONDON - The Spanish motorsports federation has issued a stinging condemnation of fans who racially abused McLaren's Lewis Hamilton at the weekend and declared its "absolute repulsion" at the incidents in Barcelona.
The RFEdeA responded after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) demanded a full report and a source close to Formula One's governing body warned that Spain's two grands prix could be at risk.
Hamilton, the sport's first black driver and championship runner-up in a sensational rookie season last year, was taunted and insulted during pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The 23-year-old has become a hate figure in Spain because of his rivalry with former McLaren teammate and double world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who now drives for Renault.
"The Federation wants to show its absolute repulsion at these incomprehensible incidents and demonstrate its support and solidarity for the McLaren team and especially their driver Lewis Hamilton," the Spanish statement said.
"This type of idiots that are confusing sporting rivalry with violence should be aware that the Federation has a zero-tolerance approach to this issue."
The Circuit de Catalunya said in a separate statement that it would not allow "even the smallest incident to repeat itself within its facilities".
It said new measures would be in place for tests at the circuit in late February and the Spanish Grand Prix in April, and threatened legal action against any offenders in the event of sanctions being imposed.
Hamilton's next test with McLaren will be at Jerez in southern Spain from Feb. 12-14.
Spanish papers reported on Sunday that Hamilton, whose paternal grandfather comes from the Caribbean island of Grenada, was booed and insulted by spectators whenever the Briton made his way from the team motorhome and into the pits.
The Sun, Britain's biggest selling tabloid, splashed the story on its front page on Monday under the headline "Vile Taunts at Circuit".
The paper also published a photograph of a group of spectators dancing in the grandstands while blacked up and wearing wigs and T-shirts with "Hamilton's Familly" (sic) on the front. The back declared "Alonso's number one fan".
Alonso complained last season that McLaren were favouring Hamilton and fell out with the Mercedes-powered team when they refused to grant him special status.
Hamilton said he was saddened by the actions of the Spanish crowd: "The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship," he told the sportlifepress.com website.
"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."
Incidents of racism have plagued Spanish sport, in particular soccer, in recent years with England's black players abused at a friendly match in Spain in 2004.
British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said he would write to the FIA and his Spanish counterpart to express his concern about the "sickening images".
"Racism should not be tolerated and this is not the first time British sportsmen have been racially abused in Spain," he told the BBC.
"This brings into question whether the Grand Prix should be held at this track."
Spain is the only country to have two grands prix this year, one at the Circuit de Catalunya in April and the European Grand Prix in Valencia at the end of August.
- REUTERS
