FIA condemns Hamilton abuse

Comments on website raise prospect of racism

Last updated: 31st October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FIA condemns Hamilton abuse

Hamilton: So close to title

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Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has again been targeted by Spanish racists in the build-up to this weekend's title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix.

World governing body the FIA and Hamilton's McLaren team have condemned a 'voodoo-style' website aimed at wrecking Hamilton's championship dreams.

The 23-year-old goes into Sunday's showdown at Interlagos needing only to finish in the top five to become the youngest champion in Formula One history.

But ahead of the race, racism is again threatening to overshadow the event as hundreds of abusive messages have been posted on a website in Spain.

The website carries the name Pincha la Rueda de Hamilton, which translates as Burst Hamilton's Tyre.

Visitors to the site, with 20,000 to date, are encouraged to drop imaginary nails, pins or porcupines on a mock-up of the Interlagos circuit.

A notice on the site reads: "Hamilton can't finish the race. We have to stop him however we can.

"All you have to do is choose a spike, place it where you want on the circuit and hope he suffers a historic puncture."

On leaving the website, an automated message informs visitors: "We hope Hamilton punctures thanks to your help."

Denunciation

However, it is the many comments which also feature on the site which have forced the FIA into issuing a strongly-worded statement of denunciation.

Earlier this year the FIA launched their EveryRace campaign after Hamilton was the target of racist abuse at a test session in Barcelona.

An organisation spokesman today said: "The FIA's position is very clear - discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society.

"Everyone in our sport will join us in condemning these abusive and hateful comments."

A spokesman for Hamilton's team added: "McLaren was one of the earliest supporters of the FIA's 'EveryRace' campaign, and we support that campaign still.

"We've seen today's statement from an FIA spokesman, and we can only echo it."

Comments (29)

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John Dale says...

I don't think racism is just peculiar to the Spanish, but is actually rife in Formula 1 also. Some of the bizarre decisions that we've seen this season are motivated not just by Ferrari corruption, but by primitive, backward attitudes now prevalent across the whole of the European continent. I fear for Hamilton's hopes of becoming World Champion on Sunday. He's got a whole governing body against him.

Posted 13:01 31st October 2008

Mark Anthony says...

How is it racist!!? Its just an anti-hamilton site. I want Massa to win, does that make me racist!!? Its racist to suggest that if you dont like Hamilton its a racist act....cop on!!

Posted 13:01 31st October 2008

Steve Johnson says...

Jealousy, well, well, well.......It's not surpising that these rascist idiots will try anything......Bernie, cancel the Spanish Grand Prix and see how Snr. Alonso like's that with his churlish smirk!

Posted 12:51 31st October 2008

Christopher C says...

It is totally unbelievable, and disgusting, how sick and twisted people can be towards somebody that simply earns his living by racing his car. Think about it idiots. It's also disgusting that nothing ever really gets done about racism in sport. You think a fine is enough ... please! The Spanish are notorious for their racism, especially in football, but they always get away with it, every time. You have to seriously question the Governing Bodies (FIFA/UEFA and now the FIA - because they haven't done anything really, but release a statement - what's that gonna do, really!). Lewis has had to endure enough as it is already, now a racist website ... people have got some serious time on their hands ... pathetic. Go take them all out on Sunday Lewis, hopefully he'll have the last laugh, and if not, he's still got Nicole (Pussycat Doll).

Posted 11:13 31st October 2008

Jordan Parker says...

Why does the way Lewis looks like take away his amazing talent as an F1 driver? Something has to be done about the spanish, Football and now F1. Good Luck Lewis! Bring the title home

Posted 11:06 31st October 2008

Mark Letman says...

Spain is a country that seems to tolerate racism, Real Madrid fans, Luis Aragones with his comments about Thiery Henry and now this. It is disgusting but no surprise and it will be no surprise if nobody in Spain condems this attack. The best drivers in the world have not been able to stop Lewis so these pathetic people will not. Lewis Hamilton will win in Brazil and silence all his critics and more importantly, thrill his fans. GB is rightly proud you Lewis and we are behind you all the way.

Posted 10:11 31st October 2008

Alan Foster says...

It's no good the FIA 'condemning' the behaviour of these racist idiots, it's unlikely they'll listen at all. The FIA should stop this in it's tracks with some decisive act, such as removing all Spanish venues from next year's calendar.

Posted 10:05 31st October 2008

Chris Dodd says...

I am not a supporter of hamilton, but what has this got to do with racism? Having just read the news report, it states that a group of people are wishing to harm Hamiltons chances of winning the Formula One world championship. I dislike Hamilton, but it has nothing to do with his skin colour, or what nationality he is. Just because he is classed a 'black' why is this story being reprted as a 'racist' issue, it is just nonsense. If someone is a fan of one driver and not another, no matter who it may be, they will want their favourite to win, why is this any different?

Posted 10:02 31st October 2008

Derek Bancroft says...

Whether it's F1 or football - you tend to get 'racism' from people who are jealous of someone's superior performance. Alonso proved what a wuss he was when he was Hamilton's partner at McLaren. He knew he was an inferior talent so he accused the team of favouritism. You don't get this c**p from Kovaleinen.

Posted 10:00 31st October 2008

Pat Marley says...

In a previous forum I bought up the subect of racism towards LH but this was aimed at the people who run F1, the last thing Ferrari want is to lose the title to LH especially with him being the colour he is.If you go toSpain or Italy and work racism is rife and unacceptable in this day and age and I have lived in Spain for the last five years and have first hand experience. Go for it LH you are a credit ti your family your team and your country.Schumacher got away with murder on the track but nobody ever suggested he be penalised, what a coincidence didn't he drive for Ferrari.

Posted 09:51 31st October 2008

Fred Brooks says...

This really angers me. It's all about Alonso and the fact that in 2007 he couldn't, and in reality still cannot, compete with Hamilton. F1 is the most exciting sport in the world and the FIA should have the power to penalise at whatever level is necessary to eliminate any type of inflammatory or discriminatory abuse. Go for it Louis, the whole country and true lovers of F1 are in your corner. The championship is yours for the taking.

Posted 09:47 31st October 2008

Chris Clark says...

It's a joke....we now have two races in Spain that being Barcelona and Valencia, and all the racism and hatred is only coming from Spain. These minority of people are just ignorant and probably come from the same mind set as Alonso, who has proven in the past with McLaren that he is a nasty minded person when it does'nt go his way. Even now, he is saying that he will do all that he can to help Massa win the championship. Also his manager, Briatori has said unjustified comments about Lewis recently. It's simple, they are all jealous, and cannot come to terms with a young Rookie winning a world title in only his second year in F1. Sure, Lewis has made some mistakes and just proves how much he still has to learn, however, no-one, including the Alonso's of this current day cannot take away Lewis's fantastic natural talent to not only race but compete in a professional manner. He is a perfect gent and reminds me in a lot of ways to Tiger Woods. If Lewis was Spanish, I would still support him purely based on all that I have said above. The sport needs more people like him and less supporters like the ones who come from Spain who are just brainless !! Lewis deserves to be World Champion. Massa is just an average driver in a very good car. Alonso needs to grow up.

Posted 09:46 31st October 2008

Barry Haslam-walker says...

Spaniards seem to have a paranoa against anything Lewis Hamilton. Last season the television commentators on each of the races would select who would come in 1, 2, 3 they never once included Hamilton and it was even understand they were instructed not to so as not to upset the listeners !

Posted 09:45 31st October 2008

Chris Ham says...

Disgusting! The spanish government should take this website down and castrate the people responsible! If they dont, the goverment should be called to rights over the whole issue!

Posted 09:42 31st October 2008

Bruce Eyre says...

It is a fact of life that no matter what we may think there will always be racists out there in most countries. Lewis Hamilton does not need to worry about them as he knows that millions of people around the world will be willing him on to win the title on Sunday. Good luck Lewis.

Posted 09:42 31st October 2008

Christine Clark says...

Wouldn't it be a good thing if Alonso said something to these racists. As usual he sits back and says nothing.

Posted 09:40 31st October 2008

Eddie Taylor says...

Here's hoping Lewis H has a great race and does the business on the track, to shut up the low life who attempt to practice evil for whatever reason. Go on Lewis, with dignity, claim a place in motorsport history; "Good luck" over the final hurdle.

Posted 09:39 31st October 2008

Martyn Jackson says...

To hear something like this disappoints me immensely. However, once again it is the actions of a mindless few and all Spaniards should definately not be tarred with the same brush. At the same time something must be done as incidents regarding Spaniards and racism is becoming a recurring theme, not only in this sport, but others such as football. There is no place for this in any walk of life and it is sad that in certain areas we seem to be taking a step backwards.

Posted 09:35 31st October 2008

Wayne Woolley says...

come on lewis,forget the racism we all no there is no time for these people in any sport,just drive there comments back down there throat, and after all there only upset because of the events of last season,come on lewis

Posted 09:35 31st October 2008

David Baker says...

Isn't it about time that Spain, as a country, were treated as the social pariahs that they strive to be. Ban them from ALL sport, yes I know its only a minority, around Madrid if the football is anything to go by, but unless they are hit hard, such as english football after Heyshel, they will never learn. Hamilton to win.

Posted 09:33 31st October 2008
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