Where is your proofs, show us, because you haven’t anything in internet demonstrating that and less this lack of respect against us.

If can’t do demonstrating us, you have to apologize, specially English media and this minister that insult us so much, and to ber more respectful with people, and at least try to translate or understand other people, culture, countries,…You are not the bottom of the world and EEUU even.

Laura, Burgos, Spain

OK - so to all of Spain Fernando - Saint Fernando is beyond reproach. The very model of quiet dignity who took the slings and arrows of outragous fortune at Mclaren(tm) with the piety of the pue of heart.
Unfortunatly I to read about F1 on a daily basis. St Fernando was the guy who when told that, like Senna, he would recieve equal footing in the team, his response was to bring about Ferrarigate in an attempt to bring the team down. Theres only Mclaren and Williams who do this. Prost, Senna, Mansell, Piquet, Rosberg et al found this to be satisfactory. Fernando didn't and showed off like a spoilt brat. When he earns some respect I'll give it.
Lewis is no saint - but it's F1. Every driver knows what its like. As for blacked up faces and the words said to him. I don't care what he thinks (and Lewis has tried to take the heat out of the incident) I think it's racist and an example of Spanish character. In the UK 99.9% of racist chanting has stopped at football grounds. Not in Spain!

James, Glasgow,

Alonso seems to be unsure if racist behaviour occurred? Does he not read the papers or see the images projected across the world.... by questioning whether it happened when it clearly did and suggesting that he deserved it you only perpetutate racist attitudes yourselves.
james, edinburgh, uk

No James. Your logic is fundamentally flawed. He - as do I - doesn't believe the actions were racist. Therefore he cannot condemn "clearly racist" behaviour if it's not racist. Therefore he doesn't perpetuate any racist attitudes, since a) the actions were racist and b) he hasn't condoned any racist attitudes.

Your premise for all is, is that the actions were racist.
Your logic is also that if one "reads the papers and sees the images projected round the world" one automatically thinks they were.

No, you are wrong. I - and many like me - have read the papers, seen the images, and can't find any evidence of racism whatsoever.

Can you provide it?

Laura Roberts, London, UK

Laura, I agree with you 100%. The British, North American, and German media for some reason can not accept a Spanish World Champion. I have digested everything F1 for the last 4 years and media from these nations always found ways of putting Alonso down , mis-interpreting his words (not all media, most). Alonso has been praised by his team mates, engineers and other teams. Last year Hamilton opened his mouth to much, something he appears to have learned from his father (we for some reason heard a lot from him last year more than any other father in F1). Please read the news you read with some objective, because it is always skewed by those who write it (I mean all media even Spanish media). You have to hear it from the original source in the correct context, and be able to understand the language and it's nuances before you can really judge what is being said. Even then it may get misinterpreted. Cheers to all, looking forward to a great year of racing.

Franc, Winnipeg, Canada

James Hunt, do you really watch anything of F1?. I am impressed, i realize that you didn't hear anything, everything is hidden of you. I heard every interview or conversation with alonso in any channel in the world, I know everything that he said last year and before, because in 5 channel in Spain show a short part of F1 every day,they speakabout Alonso, F1,...and before any Grand Prix in this channel we have a hour speaking about last weeks, F1, circuits,...and situations, conversations of every pilot, with that explication you can see that we are very very very good inform.Alonso wasn't last year this kind of bad person that english and german media showed and still do. He was complaint about the injustices that Mclaren had with him, he shut up a lot time, but at last he exploited, because he don't deserve that behaviour, he is a very hard worker, i think the hardest now in F1 and his behaviour always was very good, he want a good car.But LH just insuted him all year.I saw all in TV

Laura, Burgos, Spain

Fernando Alonso is a great driver, and deserved his
two world championships, but his attitude in the last twelve
months has disturbed and bemused me.
To have raced against Michael Schumacher, and beaten
him, is nothing short of brilliance, and shows that Alonso
can handle pressure. However, his Mclaren misadventure
exposed a hidden side to Alonso that is both surprising as
it is unappealing.
True driving greats embrace challenges. Lewis Hamilton
is the new challenge, and Fernando Alonso should learn
to embrace it, as Kimi Raikkonen has done.
By behaving in such a manner, Alonso has only emboldened
Lewis Hamilton's grip on not only Team Mclaren Vodafone
Mercedes, but Formula One itself.
To redeem himself and his career, 2008 must be his third
championship, and Alonso must prove it on the circuit.
Less interviews, less exposure, more driving.

james hunt, orlando, florida, usa

Dear Mr. Gorman,

Excuse me but you are misleading (I hope that not intentionally) and I would like to inform you:

1.- in the interview Alonso never justify racism injuries
2.- if hamilton talks against Alonso, what expects him?
3.- if the word are "fool" or "f-word", is it different, or as hamilton is black he is not "fool" or another that i have in mind?

please, do not spread lies around the world...

AM, salou, spain

Hey Neil, I couldn't agree more with you, how revolting it has become and how far we have to go yet, every day we can see that.

Luis, London,

Interesting how people have excuses for racism. It shows how far the world has come and how far we have to go. Its revolting...

Neil, Owings Mills, MD

Quite an irony English people complaining on racism and delicate subjects like this. English sport fanatics are some of the most violent and the most feared everywhere they go, attitude issues apart, achievement earned for many years since. Should we condemn all english people?
Read an interview to one of those 5 blokes in a paper saying that if he knew it was going to be taken the way it did he would never had gone blackpainted. They were celebrating carnival days, where people dress to make parody of politicians (spanish too), celebrities, sports people and others. Insulting, as it happened, shouldnt be allowed anywhere and personel of the circuit reacted quite fast taking measures to avoid further problems.
Alonso might not be the humblest guy and sometimes gets quite clumsy on public relations but he will never get nasty unless is attacked first. Mr cool Hamilton by contrast plays his double game, one side smiling stabbing on the other. The day he stops problem sorted.

Luis, London,

Marty, don't dream more please. People insult Hamilton, not because of they are envy, it is because he has a big big big mouth. He is insulting to Alonso everytime, and we are indignated about it. About Ron , Hamilton, Mercedes behaviour against Alonso, he is double champion, he deserve a respect and spanish people too. Hamilton is not a good person, he is just a spoiled child. If he would be from spain we will be ashamed of it.

Vanesa, Toledo, Spain

I'm sorry Franc and Laura, that you have misinterpreted my comment as an insult to Spanish people; not intended. It was merely an observation that Fernando chooses to ignore that which does not support has position. I have no comment to make about the 5? "fans" racist behaviour apart from I personally view it as unacceptable.
The problem is insinuating that it did not happen because someone didn't read the press or witness it themselves. The very fact that influential people (and Fernado undoubtedly is one), behave in this fashion gives people the impression that racism is OK - it isn't, period.
Fernado should give more consideration to the weight that his comments and opinion have with his personal fan base. A more conciliatory attitude would speak volumes about the man that his continued sniping does not.
Build a bridge Fernado, get over it and then prove your power on the track - we need to SEE that you are better, both on the track and off it

Adam, Brisbane, Oz

Adam, you are right of course. You are comparing what happened in Germany in 2nd world, a killer racist dictator, with 4 stupid person insulting to a person. Very good, with people that you...We have to fight against racism, and it musn't exist, of course, but insult and mistreat a country because of 5 person had very bad behaviour, it is unforgivable. This is too much, and we want a little respect, because we deserve. Everything were under control 5 minutes after happened that problem. Seccurity people fixed up and threw the banners, and ejected inmediatly those people. Do you really think, that we deserve that?, do think that you need all big attacks and insults?. Everyone in Spain don't permit racism, of course it is condemned. Please forget us and leave us alone, you are making a big ball o nothing. Look at your problems, UK have big big problems, and leave us alone to do our things as we want, that we are doing very good. Please insert my comment

Laura, Burgos, Spain

If Hamilton happened to be blond, would those 4 or 5 have been dressed in blond wigs? If Hamilton happened to be fat, would those 4 or 5 be dressed like obese people? I think the answer is yes. Because Alonso fans around the world (not exactly all spaniards) HATE Lewis Hamilton ever since he caused the investigation in Monaco. It also helps all the other incidents that happened during the season, like Hungary, Indiannapolis, the fact that Lewis's father was so annoying for so many people, and the fact that the did so well during all season, outshinning Alonso in so many races. That hate could be translated into racism in England, but I see those chants as a way of expressing their disgusst, not because for his color of skin, but for his behavior off track.

Franc , San Juan, Puerto Rico

There are of course people who deny the extermination of 6 million Jews by the Nazis, just because they didn't see it themselves. Their morals and motives are questioned by the rest of us.

Adam, Brisbane, Australia

Let's condemn Spain for the acts of 4 or 5 people, lets ban all F1 races in Spain. That's not a racist act, condemning a whole nation on the acts of 4 or 5 people. I have been reading about F1 and Alonso Fernando for the past few years and British reporters have not been very nice to him is it because he is Spanish? Does that mean the British people are racist? I don't think so. The actions of a few do not reflect a nation and sometimes are misinterpreted. Racism has occurred at other races to other drivers but if they are Caucasian then it is not racism, am I right to believe that. Just my two cents on this whole issue. Racism is wrong but condemning a nation on the actions of a small few is even worse and a greater sign of racism, shame on the FIA for saying they would pull the plug on the Spanish races. Good for them for starting a campaign on racism, shame on them for doing it at the Spanish grand prix. Spaniards must be racist right?

Franc, Winnipeg, Manitoba

What is so special about Hamilton that everyone is up in arms because some fans of other drivers show a lack of respect for him - it happens every day in other aspects of life - he is being done no harm - remember spitting image - what's wrong with him and his fans - can't they take it ?

Marty, London, England

Well I dont know if you all listened the actual interview, I did , and you are taking it out of context. But ok, who cares, we know Alonso is bad, lets make him a racist now, lets get the hate grow.
Ah, this is only my opinion, Im not insulting ,please post it.

xeron, cardiff, uk

It is shameful that such a public figure cannot condemn the racist comments, hiding behind the excuse he hasn't seen it on t.v. Does he not read the Spanish press ?

D, Barcelona,

Ed,

Alonso said the racist abuse should be condemned.

He also said that the booes "where is my crane" Hamilton heard in Barcelona after his statements against Alonso were to be expected.

The booes Alonso was referring to happened a few weeks before the alledged racist abuses.

Somehow you skip that important fact and make the booes and the alledged racist abuse to be the same. Shame on you Ed, shame on you.

Cody, Jackson Hole, WY

All the signs are there that Alonso would make a great coach for his nations footballing side.

Crashing Dashing Kid, Cadiz, Spain

Alonso showed signs of early dementia last year when he tried some very risky over-taking moves that cost him places. These latest comments from him signal that the process is accelerating. Please don't dignify his comments with further attention, only sympathise with him for his plight.

peter allen, canterbury,

Alonso should take up Politics.

Glen, Bedford, England

I find it pretty sad that various people are calling for Ron Dennis to leave MacLaren Mercedes. Ron has always had a reputation for being honest to the point of being a bit abrasive, but he has built his career (and MacLaren) from the ground up, from his relatively humble beginnings in F1 as a race mechanic for Jack Brabham. He is, as I see it, one of the pillars of the sport and appears to be the subject of unprincipled attacks from various quarters. Most F1 fans who are familiar with the history of the sport and its personalities hold him in high esteem: the politics of the sport were always a bit dodgy but now appear to have become nasty in the extreme.
It's a bit sad, too, that Alonso has attempted to explain away and even justify the anti-Hamilton nastiness and actions of some of his countrymen. One cannot justify racism: Alonzo's attempts to have a quid each way diminish him as a sportsman.

Kiwi Expat, London, Middlesex

Alonso seems to be unsure if racist behaviour occurred? Does he not read the papers or see the images projected across the world. Trying to fudge the issue by saying he brought it on himself is just as bad. Say you dont like him Fernando, say you dont get on and never will but no matter if you say you 'strongly condem racism' by questioning whether it happened when it clearly did and suggesting that he deserved it you only perpetutate racist attitudes yourselves. Fernando now you really are not behaving like a world (ex) champion.

james, edinburgh, uk

So Alonso continues to show his stripes. Not content with grassing on McLaren to save his own job and out of spite for Hamilton's performances, he does not wholeheartedly condemn racism.

No, he would rather offer it as a 'trick' by those that want to prevent F1 races in Spain.

Shame on you Alonso.

Paul, Toronto, Ontario

SER is not "the Spanish radio station". It is a private radio station. The Spanish radio station is RNE (Radio Nacional de España). For your records... By the way, I am happy to see the Barcelona test sessions time at the end of the new. About racism in Barcelona some days ago, I did not see things in that way, but if there were indeep racist people, it is a shame.

Cris, Granada, Spain

Sounds as though Alonso must go to the same optician as Arsene Wenger. I used to quite like the bloke, but these latest comments (and, it has to be said, the sideburns) lead me to hope that Renault ahev a bad year!

Paul, London,