Lewis Hamilton has vowed to face up to race hate thugs and do his talking on the track at Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old Grand Prix sensation said he will not let racist spectators affect his determination to get back on track after a disastrous weekend in Bahrain.
His affection for the Barcelona circuit has even led to an appeal to the FIA not to carry out its threat to strip the event from the calendar if racists strike again.
"I didn't have any fears last time," said Hamilton. "I will feel the same going back now.
"It wasn't pleasant but it's in the past. I hope it won't be a problem in the future. I know I've got a lot of support in Spain and I'm looking forward to the race.
"The Circuit de Catalunya is a great track; we can't ever lose it from the calendar. It always sees competitive racing and there are so many enthusiastic fans, there's always a great atmosphere."
Police are to step up armed guards in the public areas of the circuit. And security has intensified around the fenced Grand Prix paddock. The FIA's anti-racism initiative appears to have lost its momentum in the wake of the sex scandal involving FIA president Max Mosley.
The sport was stunned when some fans wore black wigs, blackened their faces and wore T-shirts with offensive slogans during a pre-season test.
Even though a majority of real fans have distanced themselves from the group, police are to boost armed guards at the event.
Hamilton has already taken part in two busy testing sessions amid tight security at Circuit de Catalunya without problems.
But concerned officials have made contingency plans in case the public stage of the first European race of the season proves too tempting for extremist groups.
Special under-cover police units will be mingling with the crowd for the three-day event. Many more officers will be on stand-by. Anti-Hamilton sentiments have intensified among some Spanish fans because of his rivalry with local hero Fernando Alonso, the nation's biggest sports star.
The duo clashed again at the last race, when Hamilton ran into the back of the Spaniard's Renault after his wing broke.
Hamilton wants to keep his focus on returning to the head of the championship after the worst finish of his Grand Prix career at the last round in Manama.
A three-point lead turned into a five-point deficit to world champion Kimi Raikkonen, but Hamilton is still confident. He said: "I feel we have a competitive package. The car has worked quite well at recent tests.
"We have a range of new components coming for the race, which we tested this week and had some positive results. I can't wait to get back into action."
STANDINGS
1 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 19
2 Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber 16
3 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes 14
4 Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber 14
5 Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes 14
6 Felipe Massa, Ferrari 10
7 Jarno Trulli, Toyota 8
8 Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota 7
9 Fernando Alonso, Renault 6
10 Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault 4
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Jonathan Pearce
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE