04/11/2008
NEWS STORY
"The booing in the crowd here (Brazil) is maybe something we might not have got in the UK," Anthony Hamilton naively tells the Daily Express as he reflects on Sunday's race in which his son secured the 2008 title.
In all fairness, the booing was mostly born of frustration, the ecstasy of seeing the local hero win only to have the title snatched back moments later. In the eyes of some this might not be sporting, but it is the way of partisan crowds all over the world, not just in Brazil.
While the booing might have disappointed Mr Hamilton there was no serious ill feeling, no fighting, no riots, that was confined to the (mainly British) media scrum that sought out his son in the aftermath of the race.
As Lewis recalls his childhood hero, Ayrton Senna, it is worth remembering the taunts and banners that used to await the legendary Brazilian at Silverstone, especially when he dared to take on, and beat, either Nigel Mansell or Damon Hill.
All that changed in 1994, of course, when the offensive banners were discarded in favour of 'Senna S' T-Shirts. And let's not forget the cheer when Michael Schumacher crashed on the first lap of the 1999 British GP.
The scenes witnessed at Barcelona earlier this year when a small group of 'fans' donned wigs, painted their faces and wore T-Shirts displaying misspelt racing slogans, provoked outrage, and quite rightly.
However, cheering the local hero and giving his opponents all manner of grief, including booing, is part and parcel of F1 and long may it remain so.