Hamilton is poised to become F1's youngest champion on Sunday

Motorsport's governing body the FIA has condemned racists who targeted Lewis Hamilton with abusive messages ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Visitors to a 'voodoo-style' website were invited to drop imaginary nails on a computer version of the Interlagos track hoping "he suffers a puncture".

Many of the posts were obscene, while others referred to Hamilton's colour.

"Everyone in our sport will join us in condemning these abusive and hateful comments," said an FIA spokesman.

Hamilton's McLaren team have admitted that their driver is "vaguely aware" of the website, which has since been removed.

"Throughout your lifetime you experience all sorts of pressure groups across the world who, through freedom of speech, are allowed to express their views," said McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

I call upon the Foreign Secretary to make a formal protest to the Spanish government Labour MP Keith Vaz

"But it's not for us to take action against these people, it's for government and organisations designed to specifically address these issues in this world.

"It's certainly not for a grand prix team, certainly not McLaren, and we refuse to be drawn into something which is widespread through this world in different ways.

"But it is certainly not going to distract us from our objective, and it is certainly not going to distract Lewis."

Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali said: "It's not a problem of Lewis, it's a problem of the world."

And Renault team boss Flavio Briatore added: "It's completely disgraceful."

Hamilton has become a hate figure for some Spaniards because of his rivalry with the country's double world champion Fernando Alonso when they were team-mates at McLaren.

WHAT HAMILTON NEEDS TO DO If Massa wins in Brazil, Hamilton must finish at least fifth to be champion If Massa is second, Hamilton must finish at least seventh If Massa is third or lower, Hamilton is champion regardless of his result

But the Spaniard condemned the offensive material, saying: "In these days, in 2008, we cannot have these kind of people in our world.

"It's not only Formula One, not only sport, it's normal life as well. This is not possible in our days."

Former Jordan team owner Eddie Jordan said that the comments on the website would not affect Hamilton's title hopes.

"I think that would not even remotely register in the brain cells of Lewis Hamilton," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I think he is very happy to have been given the chance that he's got."

Hamilton, 23, could become the youngest Formula One champion in Sunday's season-ending race.

He leads Ferrari's Felipe Massa by seven points, meaning the Briton need only finish fifth to take the title even if his Brazilian rival wins the race.

Earlier this year, the FIA launched its EveryRace campaign after Hamilton was the target of racist abuse at a test session in Barcelona.

They also warned Spanish circuits that the country's two Grands Prix could be at risk if there was any repeat of the behaviour.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the party's Ethnic Minority Taskforce, condemned the abuse and has called for the Spanish government to intervene.

"The Spanish government cannot stand back and allow this organised and systematic racism to continue," he said. "These people must be widely condemned and the websites that they use shut down immediately.

"I call upon the Foreign Secretary to make a formal protest to the Spanish government urging them to act on this serious issue that looks set only to escalate if action is not taken now."

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