Governing body launches EveryRace campaign

FIA said in a statement that incidents during testing in February in Barcelona led the Spanish motorsport federation (RFEA) to instigate an inquiry, after which a report was released.

 "The report included a detailed chronology of events in which the RFEA confirmed that a very small number of spectators amongst the 35,000 attending the test had displayed racist behaviour.

 "The FIA and the RFEA are committed to the principle of sport open to all. In order to further promote this fundamental principle the FIA has launched the EveryRace campaign.

 "With the support of the Formula One community the launch of the EveryRace campaign sends a message that discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or in society."

   The campaign calls on motor sport fans throughout the world to pledge their support for the campaign's message that motor sport welcomes everyone, irrespective of gender, race or background.

 Defending champion Kimi Raikkonen said he supported the campaign. "Since I started in motor racing I've worked with people from all over the world. We are all here to go racing and prejudice will never play any part in that."

   His Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa called on people to get behind the campaign. "The whole Formula One community should get behind this campaign. Formula One is a global sport and we should use it to promote equality wherever we can."

   McLaren-Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who was at the centre of the incidents that led to the report, said: "I believe that motor sport, like all other sports, is about freedom of expression in the pursuit of competition and excellence. Nothing more, nothing less."

   Red Bull's David Coulthard said he has always been against racism. "Ever since I've been old enough to understand the meaning of the word racism, I've known it is wrong. For racism to exist in 2008 is totally unacceptable.

 "This worthwhile campaign from the FIA shines a spotlight on something that sensible people everywhere should take for granted."