New F1 race director Niels Wittich reminded drivers prior to the Australian Grand Prix in April that the FIA International Sporting Code prohibits drivers wearing jewellery in the car.
In the drivers’ briefing at the event, it was also reaffirmed that underwear, gloves, socks and balaclavas must be FIA homologated.
These issues are now back on the agenda in the lead up to the inaugural Miami GP this weekend after a document was issued with an updated scrutineering policy to include checks concerning jewellery and underwear.
This reinforcement comes on the grounds of improved safety, with Wittich explaining that wearing jewellery underneath flameproof clothing “can reduce the protection” as “metallic objects, such as jewellery, in contact with the skin can reduce heat transmission protection and thus may increase the risk of burn injuries in the event of a fire”.
But seven-time world champion Hamilton, who joked he could not fit any more jewellery on after showing up with three watches and rings on all his fingers in the press conference, said the renewed focus was “a step backwards” and could provoke an “unnecessary spat”.
He said: “It’s almost like a step backwards, if you think about the steps we’re taking as a sport and the more important issues and causes we need to be focusing on.
“I think we’ve made such great strides as a sport… this is such a small thing.”
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Hamilton reckons he wears two pieces of jewellery that he cannot take out, but explained they were platinum and had not proved an issue in previous MRI scans.
The Mercedes racer did acknowledge an unlikely scenario where he might have to step aside to let someone else take his seat this weekend if there was a standoff between drivers and the FIA.
But Hamilton had the support of his fellow drivers, with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly saying “there are bigger things to focus on” and that wearing jewellery should be a personal…
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