Posted on 02/04/2008 12:11:33 PM PST by xp38
MADRID, Spain -- Spain could lose both its Formula One races following the racist taunting of driver Lewis Hamilton by spectators.
During Formula One testing in Spain on Saturday, fans at the track reportedly showered Lewis Hamilton with racial epithets.
The sport's ruling body said Monday the abuse aimed at F1's first black driver during weekend testing at the Barcelona circuit might result in sanctions. Punishment could lead to the removal of two races from the Grand Prix calendar -- the Spanish Grand Prix on April 27 in Barcelona and the European GP on Aug. 24 at Valencia.
FIA, the governing organization, said it will write to Spanish authorities to learn what happened before making a decision.
"Formula One is a global, multicultural sport," FIA said. "It does not have scenes like this in its history and doesn't want to see scenes like this."
Hamilton finished second in the drivers' championship last year in his rookie season. Spectators aimed abusive gestures and shouted racist abuse at the 23-year-old driver when he moved between the McLaren motor home and the team's garage at the Montmelo circuit on Saturday.
A group of spectators wore wigs, dark makeup and T-shirts with the words "Hamilton's Family" scrawled on them. The circuit said Monday it may take legal action against those spectators involved in the racist taunts.
"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favorites," Hamilton told sportlifepress.com. "The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant."
In Spain, Hamilton is widely blamed for Fernando Alonso's failure to clinch a third straight championship last season after the Spaniard joined McLaren from Renault. Alonso, who has since rejoined Renault, finished third in the drivers' standings.
"I would like them [the Spanish fans] to understand my position," Hamilton said. "The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship. At no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando, but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."
McLaren said in a statement it has raced and tested on Spanish circuits for many years, and "everyone connected with the team regards Spain and the Spanish people with great affection, Lewis included."
British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe condemned the "sickening" conduct and said he would write to his Spanish counterpart to express concern.
"Racism should not be tolerated and this is not the first time British sportsmen have been racially abused in Spain," he said. "This brings in question whether the Grand Prix should be held at this track."
The Spanish motorsports federation expressed "absolute repulsion" at what it described as the actions of a few.
"These idiots that are confusing sporting rivalry with violence should be aware that the federation has a zero-tolerance approach to this issue," it said in a statement.
Circuit staff erected barriers around the team's paddock Saturday while banners making references to Hamilton and team boss Ron Dennis were removed. The stands directly above McLaren's garage were cleared to ensure no debris could be thrown down when the car returned to the pit lane.
Sunday's testing was incident free, with Hamilton stopping to sign autographs for fans and pose for pictures. Circuit director Ramon Praderas said extra measures -- increased security, more short-circuit video cameras -- were already being planned for the Spanish Grand Prix. Praderas said he already requested a meeting with police.
Banners at testing in Valencia last month made remarks about Hamilton and Dennis, but did not take on a racist message. Those were subsequently removed by staff.
In 2004, England soccer players were subjected to racist abuse during an exhibition game in Madrid, days after national team coach Luis Aragones made a racist remark about then-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. FC Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o also attempted to leave the field after being subjected to monkey noises by Zaragoza fans during a league game in 2005.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
I believe the Zaragoza fans also threw bananas at African players as well as making insulting noises.
Apparently in Spain, if you want to earn respect, you need to either blow people up or sodomize them.
You mean a lot of Euros down the drain--Spain is a charter member of the countries that was first to use the Euro as a cash currency.
But seriously, the loss of both Formula 1 races will seriously hurt the Spanish economy, since they bring in MANY millions of Euros in tourist dollars to the Spanish economy. And FIFA (soccer's governing body) is threatening to put sanctions on Spanish clubs for the same problem with overt racism against African players on La Liga clubs.
No, you have the fringe shin heads in every country. The people of Spain are some of the best people in the world. Even if there is a bit of a socialist in many.
March 11, 2004: Al-Qaeda terrorists murder 191 people in Spain's capital.
March 14, 2004: The Spanish people respond by electing a terrorist appeaser.
Spain's measure has been taken and Spain has been found wanting. The Spanish people don't deserve any respect. If they want some, they'll need to earn it.
This year is going to be a good one to see.
I think Fernando Alonso was poised to win the championship last year, and McClaren should have helped him more based off his experience and commitment.
Hamilton as the year ending races showed, lost due to lack of experience. He was faster than FA at times, but FA could have won it.
BTW, anyone know the best source to stream F1 races, I even looked on speedtv’s site for pay per view, didn’t see anything.
Right now in testing FA’s Renault about a half to 1 second slower than the McClarens.......
Wrong, wrong, I have lived there! As a whole there are no more bad actors there than we have here as a percentage.
To clarify: you are claiming that 3/11 was planned and executed by the PSOE?
It will be midseason at the earliest, if ever, before the Renaults have the spped of McLaren and Ferrari...
The usual HUGE overreaction by FIA.
But....but.... the idea that there are still ‘white’ racists out there is just race-baiting.....
Well, I agree that the racist banners and staging against Hamilton must stop.
Why am I not a follower of Frank Gaffney?
People who use LaRouche as a source are followers of Lyndon LaRouche, since no one else takes LaRouche material seriously.
Interestingly, when those events happen in Europe (not just in Spain but in Holland, directed at Jews, and Italy and elsewhere directed against blacks) we are told that it doesn't reflect poorly on Europe, but on just a particular sort of European, the sort who goes to soccer games to throw bananas.
Evidently this assessment is in error.
From an American POV, that this kind of stuff goes in in 2008 is unbelievable. Europe is apparently at the stage of race relations where America was when Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers and had to put up with similar abuse, in 1947.
Why? Frank Gaffney, a conservative, reaches the same conclusion. You see how striking it is?
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