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Lewis Hamilton Racially Abused
Topic Started: Feb 4 2008, 10:28 AM (444 Views)
EL.I.AM LEGEND
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British Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton was subjected to vile racial abuse by Spanish spectators during a pre-season test.

The 23-year-old was jeered at and insulted at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona, on Saturday.

Some spectators wore black make-up and donned wigs while wearing T-shirts with 'Hamilton's Family' written on the front and Alonso No 1 on the back.

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has now warned that any repeat of the abuse will result in action.

Reports suggest the FIA may even consider stripping the Circuit de Catalunya of its Grand Prix.

According to reports in the Spanish press, circuit director Ramon Pradera instructed staff to erect barriers around the team's paddock on Saturday because of fears for Hamilton's safety.

Banners were removed and the stands directly above McLaren's garage were cleared of spectators to ensure that no debris could be thrown down when the car returned to the pit lane.

"We would like to make a plea to the fans to behave correctly," Mr Pradera said.

"No type of offensive behaviour can be tolerated."

A spokesman for the FIA said: "The FIA is 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."

Last season, Spanish driver Fernando Alonso failed to clinch a third straight championship after he joined McLaren from Renault.

He finished third in the drivers' standings, while rookie Hamilton was second, and has since rejoined Renault.

In 2004, Spanish football fans racially abused Rio Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips with monkey chants during a match in Madrid.

FIFA also fined the Spanish FA in the same year when football coach Luis Aragones called Thierry Henry a "black s***."

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flak
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It's nearly Christmas
Sounds like they aren't going to do anything about it unless it happens again. :rolleyes:
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Jimmymac™
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Inspirational
quite surprised its taken this long to happen though, its been almost entirely a "white man" sport up until last season when hamilton broke through. Managing to go an entire season with out any racial abuse was pleasantly surprising. Was undoubtedly going to rear its ugly head at some point though
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norwichnutta
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nutta knows !
is any1 really surprised that it was spanish fans ?
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EL.I.AM LEGEND
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norwichnutta
Feb 4 2008, 11:36 AM
is any1 really surprised that it was spanish fans ?

Im not surprised, i think the whole Alonso thing probably winds them up.

No excuse for racial abuse though.

Is Hamilton the first black racer in F1??
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Jimmymac™
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yup
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Woody
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racism needs to be kicked out of every sport.its getting out of hand.last year someone edited hamiltons wikipedia page
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EL.I.AM LEGEND
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Unfortunatly racism will always be around but it needs to be acted on quikly and it needs to be punished serverely.

There is no excuse for it at all
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EL.I.AM LEGEND
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The head of motorsport in Spain has vowed to "weed out" racists after Lewis Hamilton was abused by fans during a pre-season test.

Carlos Gracia said he wanted to show "support and solidarity" with the British driving ace.

Hamilton, 23, the first black driver to compete in Formula One, was subjected to racist insults at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona.

Spectators were photographed wearing wigs and black make-up with T-shirts saying "Hamilton's Family" on the front and "Alonso No 1" on the back.

Extra security had to be brought in to protect the young star.


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One of the offending T-shirts
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Skidaddle
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What cretins, but what was with the grey wigs? Does Lewis Hamilton use Grecian 2000? Not a very good impression to be honest. I hope LH can stuff their racism down their throats in the best way possible with victory in Spain.
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park11
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Boggle-eyed Goblin
Family is spelt with two L's there... You'd think that if they put it on a t-shirt they could spell it right!
[size=3]||| pETE[/size] ||| Spectacular Failure since August 17th, 1990.

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Woody
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hamilton got one of his bags taken while on holiday with girlfriend nicole sherzinger in spain
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