Anti-racism Initiative to Be Launched at Scene of Hamilton Baiting

Motor racing is to launch a campaign against racism at the Spanish grand prix on April 27. The race will be held at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya where Lewis Hamilton was taunted by a group of bigoted fans during testing at the track 12 days ago.

The FIA president, Max Mosley, believes that this is the moment for the sport's administrators to signal that racism will not be tolerated at any level of the sport. Representatives of the world governing body will fly to Spain next week for discussions with the country's motor sport authority about ways to shape this strategy over the coming weeks and months.

"The FIA was appalled by the scenes of racist abuse targeted at Lewis Hamilton," a spokesman said yesterday. "Such behavior runs counter to the fundamental principles of equality enshrined in the FIA's statutes. Formula one is a global, multi-cultural sport and has never encountered such scenes before and will not tolerate them in future."

All involved in formula one and other motor sports, including drivers, teams, circuits and national authorities, are to be invited to participate in the new campaign. In due course it is hoped that a sister campaign, Rallying Against Racism, will be introduced. Racing fans will also be able to pledge their support via a dedicated campaign website that will be set up before the official launch of Racing Against Racism.

The FIA spokesman added: "International motor sport can reach a huge global audience to send out positive messages of racial and sporting equality. We will be encouraging all those involved in motor sport to support our new campaign, from recent world champions to the next generation of potential champions at the grassroots of our sport."

Spain had been threatened with the loss of its two grands prix this season - it also hosts the European GP - and has been under pressure to prevent any more racist incidents. Hamilton's team, McLaren, have backed the campaign. A team spokesman told the auto sport.com website: "Together with the Spanish motor sport authorities, the Barcelona circuit management and the vast majority of the Spanish people, as well as all genuine F1 fans worldwide, we applaud the FIA's decision to launch an anti-racism campaign for motor sport and we will support it in whatever way we can.

"We fervently hope that the racist behavior of a tiny minority of so-called F1 fans at a recent Barcelona test was an isolated incident that will not be repeated elsewhere. As we have already made clear, McLaren-Mercedes have 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 Hamilton included."

It is expected all other teams will offer their support for the initiative.