Formula One news

Racial act under investigation

The FIA is investigating an act of suspected racism which took place during the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. A spectator was seen at the Circuit de Catalunya clad with a McLaren team shirt and holding a model steering wheel of the car whilst with a black painted face, arms and hands.

"We are aware of it and we are looking into it," commented a spokesperson of the FIA, governing body of the sport. With ground staff on each access gate to the Circuit de Catalunya, it is almost certain that the spectator in question adopted the change of appearance whilst within the boundaries of the venue.

Sunday's incident follows a similar happening at the same circuit during a test session in February of last year, when a group of Spanish fans were under scrutiny for also darkening their skin, wearing wigs and displaying t-shirts containing the words 'Hamilton's family'.

With an anti-racism scheme started by the FIA following the incident of early 2008, a statement from the circuit - which launched a plaque in honour of World Champion Hamilton during the meeting, to be situated behind the main grandstand with several other tributes - is expected on Monday.

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