Racists subjected Timo Glock to horrific abuse because of his part in the dramatic manner in which Lewis Hamilton clinched last year's world title in Brazil, it has been revealed.

Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula One, had to finish fifth at the last race of the season at Interlagos to snatch the championship from Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

On the last corner of the race, the Briton moved his McLaren from sixth into fifth on a track made treacherous by a sudden rain storm when he overtook Glock, desperately struggling for grip with the dry weather tyres fitted to his Toyota.

Glock (below) has now told of how he received threats from racists back home in Germany who were furious that he let Hamilton get past.

He said: "The reactions from many German fans were very bad. It seems there are many racist people who did not like seeing Hamilton become world champion."

In an interview with the German newspaper Darmstaedter Echo, the 27yearold went on: "The reactions ranged from 'we know where your parents live' to 'you belong in the gas chamber'. This was not a pretty way to end the season."

Hamilton first became the subject of racist abuse 13 months ago while testing at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona in Spain.

Spanish motor racing fans, upset by the manner in which they perceived Hamilton had forced former double world champion Fernando Alonso out of McLaren, appeared in the grandstands in black make-up, wearing wigs and dressed in T-shirts bearing the slogan 'Hamilton's Family'.