MADRID, Feb 4, 2008 (AFP) - Spain are in danger of being stripped of their two Formula One Grand Prix this year following the racist insults at Lewis Hamilton at the Montmelo circuit, motorsport´s governing body FIA said.

The Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for April 27 at the Montmelo venue near Barcelona while Valencia hosts the European Grand Prix on August 24.

A FIA spokesman said: "FIA are surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton. An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."

Montmelo circuit officials have said they will act to prevent such incidents happening again.

Circuit director Ramon Praderas told Monday´s La Vanguardia newspaper: "There is a lot at stake and we could lose a lot which means we will not be tolerating this sort of behaviour at the Spanish Grand Prix. We consider this a very serious situation and we will be toughening up security measures."

The fans´ behaviour was because of perceived favouritism by McLaren for Hamilton last season at the expense of their favourite driver Fernando Alonso, who has since rejoined Renault.

On each occasion Hamilton left the pits, insults were thrown at him by a group of spectators, wearing black wigs with black make-up, who also had slogans criticising him.

"McLaren and Hamilton suffered a hellish time at Montmelo," Spanish press reported.

Two spectators were thrown out of the circuit and other actions were taken to protect the English team.

"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favourites," said Hamilton, speaking to sportlifepress.com.

"The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant.

"But maybe these types of things make you learn to appreciate more the warmth of the public, who although you always try to be there for them, you never know how important they are to you until these types of things happen."

"I would like them (the Spanish fans) to understand my position," Hamilton said.

"The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship, at no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando, but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."