Hamilton abuse "taken out of context"

Updated 06.50 Tue Feb 05 2008
Keywords: Alonso, F1, Formula One, catalunya, barcelona, racism, abuse, hamilton

The director of the Spanish racing circuit where Lewis Hamilton was racially abused has promised to prevent it happening again.

Ramon Pradera claimed coverage of the incident at the Circuit de Catalunya had been "taken out of context", but ensured steps would be taken to ensure no repeat of the scenes at the Spanish Grand Prix in April.

"We cannot generalise the actions of four of five individuals" - Director of Circuit de Catalunya Ramon Pradera

He said: "I was present at all times and we cannot generalise the actions of four of five individuals in comparison with the 50,000 spectators that were here at the weekend. We reacted immediately by cordoning the area, throwing out those individuals and taking away the banners."

The 23-year-old was left "somewhat sad" by jeering and insults by spectators, when he moved between the McLaren trailer and the team's garage during testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, in Montmelo, near Barcelona.

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, warned Spain could even be stripped of its races as a result of such incidents. The country is due to host two grands prix this year, at Barcelona and Valencia.

Mr Pradera added: "We have already spoken to the FIA assuring them that we will eliminate all racist elements. I spoke to McLaren yesterday and they were satisfied with the measures we took."

A spokesman for the FIA said they were "disappointed" at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton.

Spain's motorsport supremo, Carlos Gracia, promised to weed out any racism in the country's Formula One fan base.

"As president of the Spanish Motorsport Federation (RFEDA), I want to state my anger and absolute opposition to these episodes," he said.

"We want to show our support and solidarity to McLaren and especially to Lewis Hamilton.

"The Spanish Federation will not allow these acts to happen again, although we wish to state that it came from a minority and that the circuit director at Montmelo took action immediately."

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