FIA Condemns Anti-Hamilton Site

Lewis Hamilton is certainly not a very beloved F1 driver in Spain. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure why. However, with the Brit so close to securing his maiden title in the Great Circle, the Spanish fans have gone wild trying to question Hamilton's bid for the F1 crown.

A Spanish website – registered by Tequila Spain marketing company – gathered more than 20,000 anti-Hamilton comments before the season finale at Interlagos. The site's name, pinchalaruedadehamilton (burst Hamilton's tire), doesn't help either, having the clear aim of instigating F1 fans against the McLaren driver.

The International Automobile Federation responded immediately, condemning this new proof of hateful behavior against Hamilton.

“The FIA's position is very clear. Discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or society. Everyone in our sport will join us in condemning these abusive and hateful comments,” a FIA spokesman was quoted as saying.

Also, McLaren took an immediate stand on the issue, agreeing with FIA's decision to blast such initiatives in the future: “McLaren was one of the earliest supporters of the FIA's 'Every Race' campaign, and we support that campaign still. We've seen today's statement from an FIA spokesman, and we can only echo it.”

It is not the first time that Hamilton has a hard time with the Spanish fans, as the British driver was booed during an early pre-season testing session at Barcelona this year as a consequence of his 'conflict' with Fernando Alonso in 2007. A group of Spanish fans then addressed a bunch of racist remarks towards Hamilton, endangering the future of the Catalan race in Formula 1.

The McLaren driver is expected to face a hostile crown in Brazil too, as his main rival for the world title this year – Felipe Massa – will be heading to his home circuit trying to get his hands on the world title. Massa admitted that, knowing the Interlagos fans, there could be some 'dirty words' on Sunday.