Report: Hamilton subject of racial taunts

LONDON, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Lewis Hamilton has been the object of racist insults from fans on a Spanish web site, London's Guardian newspaper reported Friday.

The native of Stevenage, England, the only black driver on the Formula One auto racing circuit, has been verbally abused by the Spaniards since 2007, his rookie season.

The Web site claims to have had more than 21,000 visitors, and continues a vendetta started 18 months ago by supporters of Spain's Fernando Alonso, who joined the McLaren team when Hamilton was a rookie and Alonso was the reigning F1 world champion.

"The FIA's position is very clear," the governing body said in a statement, reacting to the site's content. "Discrimination and prejudice can have no place in sport or society."

By winning the Chinese Grand Prix on Oct. 19, Hamilton, the current leader in the 2008 standings, holds a seven-point lead over Felipe Massa, and can secure the title at Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.