Motor racing-FIA looking into report of blacked-up fan

BARCELONA, May 10 (Reuters) - Formula One's governing body said it was investigating reports of a blacked-up spectator at the Spanish Grand Prix circuit where world champion Lewis Hamilton suffered racial abuse last season.

"We are aware of it and looking into it," said a spokeswoman for the International Automobile Federation (FIA) at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday.

The BBC website (www.bbc.co.uk) published a picture of one blacked-up spectator, among a total Sunday attendance of 92,430 people, wearing a McLaren shirt.

There was no suggestion that Hamilton had experienced any abuse.

The FIA warned the Spanish authorities last year that they could face sanctions if there was any repeat of the incidents experienced by Hamilton, Formula One's first black champion, at a test in February 2008.

The Circuit de Catalunya last week honoured the 24-year-old McLaren driver Hamilton with a plaque to join others in its Champions' Avenue.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)