Alonso: Hamilton's Comments Led to Abuse

British driver Lewis Hamilton should have expected the taunts he received from Spanish fans during testing earlier this month, according to former team-mate Fernando Alonso.

In an interview last month, Hamilton said Alonso showed him "just how not to behave as a world champion" when the two were team-mates at McLaren last season. But Alonso has told Cadena Ser radio station that Hamilton had no right to say such a thing and that these comments led to the abuse. "The very next week they whistled him in Spain for saying that," the Spaniard said. "That's the other face of the situation. If you talk, it's normal that they whistle."

Hamilton - Fomula one's first black driver - was abused by spectators shouting racist slurs and wearing dark make-up, black wigs and T-shirts saying "Hamilton's family" at the Montmelo circuit on February 2. The sport's governing body the FIA is investigating the incident.

"If in the end it has been done, then you have to condemn it sharply," Alonso said. But he claimed the reports of racist behavior had been exaggerated, adding that he was treated harshly by fans in Monza after winning the Italian grand prix last year. "When I did my lap of honor, people were [making obscene gestures]," Alonso said. "That's sport."

Alonso left McLaren after a rocky season in which rookie Hamilton finished ahead of him. Alonso had expected the team to make him its No1 driver after leaving Renault as two-time defending champion. He has returned to Renault this season. Asked how his relationship with Hamilton is now, Alonso said: "The same as last year. Inexistent."