Hamilton title bid targeted by racists

Published on Friday 31 October 2008 09:02

LEWIS HAMILTON will today attempt to put a sickening disruption to his world title dreams to the back of his mind.

Ahead of his attempt to become Formula One champion, Spanish racists have set up a vile website targeting Hamilton.

The sport had hoped the scenes witnessed at a test session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona earlier this year were a one-off.

A handful of Spanish people blackened their faces, wore curly black wigs and sported t-shirts with the inscription 'Hamilton's family'. That prompted world governing body, the FIA, to launch their anti-racism campaign 'EveryRace', with Hamilton as its figurehead.

But with Sunday's title-deciding showdown on the horizon, Hamilton is again embroiled in a racist storm.

Although McLaren yesterday insisted Hamilton was 'vaguely aware' of the offending website and material, without doubt he will face any number of questions on the subject following today's practice.

The FIA and McLaren at least jointly condemned those who had posted sickening messages.

An FIA spokesman said: "Our position is very clear – discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society.

"Everyone in our sport will join us in condemning these abusive and hateful comments."

A spokesman for the team added: "McLaren was one of the earliest supporters of the FIA's 'EveryRace' campaign, and we support that campaign still.

"We've seen the statement from an FIA spokesman, and we can only echo it."

Hamilton, who holds a seven-point lead over Ferrari's Felipe Massa and needs to finish at least fifth in Brazil to clinch the title, is aware he has to remain focused.

"It's just another race," insisted Hamilton. "We've come from a great race in China, and I know here we will be just as strong, if not a little bit stronger.

"It looks positive, and again my approach is the same as in the last race. We don't really have much pressure on us, we just have to do a good job. That's what racing's about."