World Champion Lewis Hamilton could have been withdrawn from F1 over racist abuse

Anthony Hamilton, father of new Formula One world champion Lewis, said racial taunts and abuse had made him consider pulling his son out of the sport.

In the build-up to the Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton was racially abused on a Spanish website - taken down hours before the Interlagos race - while he was also the prank of two Brazilian comedians, who had handed the British driver a black cat as a symbol of bad luck.

"I did think maybe this is not the place for my family," Hamilton said. "I have never said it to Lewis, you just go home and think 'I didn't think the world was like this'.

"I don't believe it is a racist thing in all honesty. If it is then I don't understand it. I don't think it is just me that's shocked, I think everyone is shocked.

"As a parent you want to make sure you do the right things for your kids, put them in the right places, and my family has taken a lot of stick this week, not just this week but in the past few months."

The 23-year-old became Formula One's youngest world champion when he finished fifth in Sunday's dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix.

In the countdown to the race, the McLaren driver was targeted by hate messages posted by racist fans on a Spanish website.

"The positive aspect of this (weekend) is not just for people of our colour, it is for everybody," said Anthony. "The world is in turmoil and I like to think we set an example to remain dignified, have respect for everyone, be honest.

"The booing in the crowd here (Brazil) is maybe something we might not have got in the UK."

Hamilton senior also shrugged off the cat prank as "extremely unprofessional", adding: "But do you know what they fail to realise? We've a black cat at home and she has been extremely positive for us."

Despite the negativity, Anthony Hamilton said he would not spoil the enjoyment of witnessing his son finally becoming world champion after coming so close last year, the driver's first season in the sport.

"We came into this to do a decent job and we deserve to be here. If people like us, then great. If (they) don't, then I am sad for them and maybe God will forgive them."