The FIA has launched its 'Everyrace' anti-racism campaign at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
F1 stars pledge their support
The FIA has launched its 'Everyrace' anti-racism campaign at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya in the hope that it might send a message that "discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society".
The campaign comes in the wake of the racial abuse suffered by Lewis Hamilton during testing at the Spanish circuit earlier this year.
February's incident was investigated by the Spanish motor sport authority, RFEA, who presented a comprehensive report to the FIA.
Formula One's governing body, which had hinted that Spain might lose both its grand prix, to be held on Sunday, and August's European Grand Prix in Valencia, kept an eye on subsequent tests before deciding that no further action was necessary.
"The FIA is grateful to the RFEA and the Catalunyan circuit authorities for their effective and efficient response to this situation," an FIA statement read.
"The FIA has monitored the measures recommended and implemented since February and has noted that no further such incidents have occurred.
"The FIA agrees with the RFEA assessment that the people involved in these incidents were 'not at all representative of the thousands of people who enjoy a convivial atmosphere and the spectacle offered by motor sport'.
"The FIA and the RFEA are committed to the principle of sport open to all. In order to further promote this fundamental principle the FIA has launched the Everyrace campaign.
"With the support of the Formula One community the launch of the Everyrace campaign sends a message that discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society."
Welcomed
The 'Everyrace' campaign has been welcomed by Formula One's big names, with world champion Kimi Raikkonen saying: "Since I started in motor racing I've worked with people from all over the world. We are all here to go racing and prejudice will never play any part in that."
Hamilton himself said: "I believe that motor sport, like all other sports, is about freedom of expression in the pursuit of competition and excellence. Nothing more, nothing less."
McLaren Mercedes team boss Ron Dennis was also in favour of the initiative, adding: "We applaud the FIA's decision to launch an anti-racism campaign and we will support it in whatever way we can."
