Motor sport's governing body has issued a strongly worded statement condemning racial abuse against Kenyan driver Mcrae Kimathi.
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) issued a statement on Tuesday night, February 23, condemning the racial comments by fans of the sport on social media.
Kimathi is the only black and African driver registered for both Rally Sweden and the full Junior WRC campaign this year.
FIA condemned the online racial abuse directed at Kimathi in the build-up to his Junior World Rally Championship (WRC) debut at a Rally Sweden this week.
The Motor sport's governing body stated that it would take all necessary steps to guarantee that vitriol is reported to the relevant authorities.
“In the build-up to Rally Sweden, FIA Junior WRC competitor McRae Kimathi has been subjected to racial abuse on social media.
“We condemn racist abuse and any form of discrimination towards our teams, competitors and fans and we will take all necessary steps to help ensure that any abuse is reported to the relevant authority.
“We are working to build a more diverse and inclusive sport and abuse must be highlighted and eliminated. There is no place for it in our sport and in society," the FIA statement read.
Further, the World Rally Championship (WRC) also condemned the remarks that were directed at Kimathi and took to social media stating that: “The WRC does not tolerate racism in our sport.”
Junior WRC championship manager Maciej Woda joined in the conversation and condemned the racial remarks stating that such vitriol had no space in the motorsport world.
“Racism has no place in our sport or anywhere in the world. I was shocked, saddened and disgusted to see some of the comments we received on social media," Woda stated.
“Rallying is a sport that relies so much on embracing different cultures, communities and people from around the world. So far we are monitoring our social media channels closely and taking action on any racist comments or views that are directed to our competitors.
“I am full of admiration for what McRae and Mwangi are doing, putting themselves in a completely different and challenging environment. They are pushing themselves way beyond their comfort zone and should be applauded for what they are doing," he added.
Kimathi’s Rally campaign begins on Friday in Sweden and he will be battling snow and very cold temperatures.
