Barcelona grand prix chief pledges to snuff out race abuse

Published on Tuesday 5 February 2008 09:09

THE director of the Barcelona race circuit where Lewis Hamilton was racially abused has promised to take steps to prevent similar scenes marring April's Spanish Grand Prix.

Hamilton was jeered and insulted 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, on Saturday. The 23-year-old was left "somewhat sad" by events, with one group wearing wigs, dark make-up and t-shirts with the slogan "Hamilton's Family" – apparently because of his public falling out with then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso last season.

Circuit de Catalunya director Ramon Pradera claimed coverage of the incident had been "taken out of context" but ensured steps would be taken to ensure no repeat of the scenes on April 27.

"I was present at all times and we cannot generalise the actions of four or five individuals in comparison with the 50,000 spectators that were here at the weekend," Pradera said. "At the time that these situations took place, we reacted immediately by cordoning the area, throwing out those individuals and taking away the banners. On Sunday, we didn't see these episodes occur."

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, warned Spain faced being stripped of its races. The country is due to host two grands prix this year, at Barcelona and Valencia.

A spokesman said: "An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."