Mosley: « Racist insults also heard in China »

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton suffered racist abuse from Spanish fans in China during the 2007 edition as well as during recent tests in Barcelona, revealed the FIA chief on Sunday.

Max Mosley stated to Britain’s Sunday Times that this information had been relayed to him by Hamilton’s father.

« Anthony Hamilton told me that there were some people in China who had behaved abusively. Not Chinese fans, but people who had traveled from Spain, » he said.

A few days ago, Hamilton was insulted by many people during the Catalunya trials. The FIA has therefore warned the Spanish circuits (Valencia and Barcelona) as well as the Spanish authorities of a possible removal of these races from the official calendar if such outbursts were to repeat.

Mosley also reminded that Spanish fans could be punished.

« If they have gone to China or another country, we know their names and passport numbers and we can prevent them from entering another country. »

« We will do everything possible to eradicate these behaviors, we will do whatever it takes.

« If, as seems to be the case, a small number of people are involved, it should be possible to arrest them immediately, » he added.

A spokesperson for the FIA stated that an anti-racism campaign should be implemented at the start of the season.

A probable launch date would coincide with the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona in April. A highly symbolic date…

Hamilton, who is the first black driver, became the target of racists in Spain due to his rivalry with his former McLaren teammate, the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who is now with Renault.

Mosley was shocked by the behavior of certain fans, stating that racism was contrary to the spirit of the sport.

« One of the things that attracted me the most to motorsport is that no one judges you on your background, whether it’s race, gender, or religion. The only thing that matters is your level of performance and especially your speed, » explained the Briton.