Hate mail for Hamilton the space tourist

Lewis Hamilton's decision to become a space tourist has resulted in a fresh barrage of racist abuse from Spanish racing fans.

The Formula One champion, 23, reportedly plans to take girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and three members of his family on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic airline.

Hamilton, whose career earnings are expected to top £625 million, will splash out £625,000 on the tickets.

But the revelation sparked a wave of abuse from Spanish F1 fans, who have a long-standing hatred of the first-ever black F1 champion.

News and sports websites, including that of the sports daily Marca, were bombarded with hate-fuelled messages today. "Please [can] he and his daddy stay in orbit forever," wrote one user.

The Virgin Galactic space tours are due to begin in 2010.