FIA to take stand against racism

Motor Sport : Formula One's governing body has asked teams, drivers and track owners to back a "Racing against Racism" campaign…

Motor Sport: Formula One's governing body has asked teams, drivers and track owners to back a "Racing against Racism" campaign to be launched at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

The move by the FIA follows abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton, the sport's first black driver, by Spanish spectators at a recent test in Barcelona.The same Circuit de Catalunya hosts the Spanish Grand Prix on April 27.

The FIA warned the Spanish authorities and circuits after that incident that the country's two grands prix - the other is in Valencia in August - could be at risk if there was any repeat.

Speaking a day after Hamilton returned to Spain to test with his Mercedes-powered team at the southern Jerez circuit, an FIA spokesman repeated the world body's determination to stamp out the problem.

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"The FIA was appalled by the scenes of racist abuse targeted at Lewis Hamilton," he said. "Such behaviour runs counter to the fundamental principles of equality enshrined in the FIA's statutes.

"We will be encouraging all those involved in motor sport to support our new campaign, from recent world champions to the next generation of potential champions at the grass roots of our sport."

Hamilton won four races last year and finished overall runner-up in a sensational rookie season. However he also became a hate figure in Spain for his rivalry at McLaren with double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso. Alonso has since returned to Renault.