Hamilton abuse expected: Alonso

Lewis Hamilton was the victim of abuse in Spain [GALLO/GETTY]

Lewis Hamilton should have expected the taunts he received from Spanish fans during Formula One testing last month, according to former teammate Fernando Alonso.

In an interview last month, Hamilton said Alonso showed him “just how not to behave as a world champion” when the two were teammates at McLaren last season.

Alonso told Cadena Ser radio station that Hamilton had no right to say such a thing.

“The very next week they whistled him in Spain for saying that,” the Spaniard said.

“That’s the other face of the situation. If you talk, it’s normal that they whistle.”

Hamilton, F1’s first black driver, was abused by spectators shouting racist slurs and wearing dark makeup, black wigs and T-shirts saying “Hamilton’s Family” at the Montmelo circuit on February 2.

Governing body FIA is investigating the incident.

“If in the end it has been done, then you have to condemn it sharply,” Alonso said.

But he claimed the reports of racist behavior had been exaggerated, noting that he had been treated harshly by fans in Monza after winning the Italian Grand Prix last year.

“When I did my lap of honour people were (making obscene gestures),” Alonso said.

“That’s sport.”

Alonso left McLaren after a rocky season in which rookie Hamilton finish ahead of him.

Alonso had expected the team to make him its No. 1 driver after leaving Renault as two-time defending champion. He has returned to Renault this season.

Asked how his relationship with Hamilton was now, Alonso said “the same as last year. Non-existent.”