[Stanley]

Here's an article about the recent incident, It also talks about last years.

FIA to investigate 'racism' incident at Barca
Sunday 10th May 2009

The stigma of racism hung over Formula One again on Sunday after a fan with a blacked-up face in imitation of world champion Lewis Hamilton was filmed at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The pictures show a man with a blacked-up face, arms and hands, wearing a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes t-shirt and holding a Formula One style steering wheel among Spanish supporters at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

They come after a similar incident during a test session at the same circuit caused an international storm in February last year.

An FIA spokesperson said: "We are aware of it and we are looking into it."

Speaking about the incident, 13-times Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, now working for the BBC, said it was "not a good thing to see".

Fellow pundit and former team boss Eddie Jordan added it was "totally and absolutely unacceptable.

"I think there is a suspended sentence still hanging over them (the circuit) because the FIA did come down very strongly, and rightly so."

The incident 15 months ago - when a group of people with their faces painted black, wearing curly wigs and t-shirts adorned with the words 'Hamilton's family', caused outrage - prompted the FIA to launch an anti-racism initiative, EveryRace.

Circuit bosses in Barcelona were warned they risked losing their place on the calendar should there be a repeat.

At the time, the Spanish fans' animosity was linked to the fact Lewis Hamilton had been involved in a bitter row with then McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso throughout the 2007 season that culminated in the Spaniard's departure at the end of that year.

Today's controversy comes two days after Hamilton was honoured by current track boss Ramon Praderas with a special ceremony in the paddock to mark his achievement of becoming world champion.

Hamilton unveiled a plaque and listened to brief speeches made by McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Praderas.

Inscribed with the words 'Thanks for your passion and support,' and with his trademark 'Lewis' signature below, such a public showing was a clear attempt at a peace offering.

The plaque will now go up on 'Champions Avenue' where all those who have raced at the track and gone on to take the title in either cars or bikes are honoured.

Hamilton finished ninth in the race, but he was consoled by Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Scherzinger was watching her boyfriend in action for the first time since cheering him on to world title glory in last year's season-ending spectacular in Brazil.

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5310742,00.html