<p>Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton praised Vinicius Junior on Thursday for the Real Madrid striker's reaction to the racial abuse he has suffered in Spain.</p>.<p>Hamilton said the Brazilian international's declarations about racism in Spanish football had been "brave", describing the abuse as "devastating" and a reminder of his own earlier experiences.</p>.<p>Vinicius, 22, who has faced abuse since he joined Real in 2018, was targeted with racist chants and gestures during Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat at Valencia last weekend.</p>.<p>Vinicius said La Liga "belongs to racists" and criticised the league for a lack of action after being racially abused several times over the past two seasons.</p>.<p>"It's devastating to think that in 2023 we're still seeing these things and hearing these things," said Hamilton ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.</p>.<p>"It really hits home for me. It really brings up emotions, things that I experienced, whether it was in the UK or whether it was when I was racing in Italy or France or Spain.</p>.<p>"It can be so hurtful the things that people say. I think he has been incredibly brave."</p>.<p>Earlier on Thursday, four men detained on suspicion of hanging an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge in January were banned from Spanish stadiums.</p>.<p>The men, who were detained Tuesday, were released on bail and banned from coming within 1,000 metres of a Liga stadium during matches.</p>.<p>The dark-skinned inflatable dummy was hung by the neck from a bridge near Real Madrid's training ground several hours before a derby clash with Atletico Madrid on January 26.</p>
<p>Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton praised Vinicius Junior on Thursday for the Real Madrid striker's reaction to the racial abuse he has suffered in Spain.</p>.<p>Hamilton said the Brazilian international's declarations about racism in Spanish football had been "brave", describing the abuse as "devastating" and a reminder of his own earlier experiences.</p>.<p>Vinicius, 22, who has faced abuse since he joined Real in 2018, was targeted with racist chants and gestures during Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat at Valencia last weekend.</p>.<p>Vinicius said La Liga "belongs to racists" and criticised the league for a lack of action after being racially abused several times over the past two seasons.</p>.<p>"It's devastating to think that in 2023 we're still seeing these things and hearing these things," said Hamilton ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.</p>.<p>"It really hits home for me. It really brings up emotions, things that I experienced, whether it was in the UK or whether it was when I was racing in Italy or France or Spain.</p>.<p>"It can be so hurtful the things that people say. I think he has been incredibly brave."</p>.<p>Earlier on Thursday, four men detained on suspicion of hanging an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge in January were banned from Spanish stadiums.</p>.<p>The men, who were detained Tuesday, were released on bail and banned from coming within 1,000 metres of a Liga stadium during matches.</p>.<p>The dark-skinned inflatable dummy was hung by the neck from a bridge near Real Madrid's training ground several hours before a derby clash with Atletico Madrid on January 26.</p>