04/02/2008
NEWS STORY
The Spanish motorsport federation, the Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo (RFEA), has this afternoon issued an official statement on its website in response to a number of racist incidents at Barcelona over the weekend, culminating in a group of seven fans blacking-up their faces and donning T-shirts adorned with the words 'Hamilton Familly'.
The six point statement comes at a time when the FIA is understood to be seeking a full investigation as to why circuit organizers allowed the situation to develop.
It read: "Following the unpleasant event that took place during the latest Formula One testing session in Catalunya, the RFEA wants to clarify the following points:
1: The Federation wants to show its absolute repulsion at these incomprehensible events, as well as showing its support to the McLaren team and especially to their driver Lewis Hamilton.
2: Car racing is a sport where events that divert from cordiality between fans and drivers and teams will not be allowed.
3: "These kind of madmen who confuse sporting rivalry with violence must know that the Federation will have no tolerance with them.
4: "The RFEA wants to make it clear that the protagonists of this event were a very small group that doesn't represent the thousands of people who enjoy this sport in a fun and cordial way.
5: "The RFEA wants to highlight the speed at which the Circuit officials removed the offensive banners and the trouble markers from the stands.
6: "The governing body has asked (all) the (Spanish test) circuits to increase their preventive measures to avoid this kind of incidents in the future."