Formula One news

Racist fans could spoil Spanish Grand Prix

The FIA has said it will not tolerate a repeat of last weekend's racial abuse directed at McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton by Spanish fans at Circuit de Catalunya. The FIA has warned the Spanish Grand Prix organisers that it will take sanctions if the matter is not dealt with.

Thousands of fans visited Saturday's and Sunday's test session at Circuit de Catalunya, the track near Barcelona. And while the crowd cheered loud for its favourite driver Fernando Alonso it was also shouting racists things such as 'puto negro' (fucking black) and 'negro de mierda' (black shit). The track officials removed various abusive banners from the grandstands and security guards were placed in the grandstands to keep the fans calm.

Spanish fans believe Fernando Alonso was treated unfairly at McLaren and now hit out at the team and its driver Lewis Hamilton.

An FIA spokesman told autosport.com: "The FIA is surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton. Abuse of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes and any repetition will result in serious sanctions."

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