LEWIS Hamilton yesterday described as "sad" the Spanish Formula One fans who daubed their faces black and wore wigs and T-shirts bearing the slogan: "Hamilton's Family".
The racist behaviour which the McLaren racing driver endured during pre-season tests may not have spoiled his love of Spain, but they angered Gerry Sutcliffe, the UK minister for sport, who has written to the Spanish government complaining about th
e taunts.
In the past, several England football players have been subjected to "monkey" chants during friendlies with Spain, a nation believed to be failing to tackle an undercurrent of racism.
Hamilton was jeered and insulted when he moved between the McLaren motor-home and the team's garage at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona, during pre-season tests on Saturday. Pictures taken at the circuit show some spectators aiming abusive gestures and a group wearing wigs, dark make-up and T-shirts with the slogan "Hamilton's Family" on their fronts.
The 23-year-old was targeted by some local fans following his public falling-out last season with former team-mate Fernando Alonso, the popular Spanish driver, who went on to join Renault after the personal clashes with Hamilton.
Yesterday, Hamilton said: "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. The people in Spain have always been very warm with me and, even though I imagined what might happen, it has not been pleasant.
"But maybe these types of things make you learn to appreciate more the warmth of the public … you never know how important they are to you till these types of things happen."
Hamilton went on to insist he had nothing against Alonso, but said the tensions between them have caused him difficulty in Spain.
He said: "I would like them (the Spanish fans] to understand my position. 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."
Yesterday, the UK minister for sport said the behaviour of fans was "shocking" and "sickening". Mr Sutcliffe said: "How on earth were fans dressed like this allowed into the circuit? Racism should not be tolerated and this is not the first time British sportsmen have been racially abused in Spain. This brings into question whether the grand prix should be held at this track."
He said he was going to write to Formula One's governing body, the FIA, to ask what action it would take. "I am also going to write to the Spanish sports minister to express our ongoing concern about racism suffered by our sportsmen," he said.
The FIA has already warned Spain – which is due to host two races this year, at Barcelona and Valencia – that it could be stripped of its grand prix as a result of such incidents.
A spokesman said: "FIA are surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton.
"An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."
NOT AGAIN… THE insults directed at Hamilton represent the latest race controversy to hit Spanish sport.
October 2004: Spain's coach Luis Aragones is fined 3,000 by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after comments about Thierry Henry. He was later cleared on appeal.
November: FIFA fines the RFEF £46,500 after English footballers Carlton Cole, Darren Bent, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Jenas, Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips face monkey chants in England's matches in Spain.
October 2007: Carlos Gracia, head of the Spanish motorsport federation, states before the Brazilian Grand Prix: "It is ironic the racists in England are having to rely on a coloured pilot."
The full article contains 665 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
