An apparent stand-off between Lewis Hamilton and the FIA regarding jewellery has taken another turn before first practice for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. From this weekend's event, Formula 1's governing body are clamping down on drivers wearing jewellery while out on track, as they look to more strictly enforce a rule that has been in place since 2005. A couple of rounds ago in Australia, where talks were held between the FIA and the drivers, Hamilton indicated that he would find it difficult to follow the reinforced rules, given the permanence of some of his piercings. He doubled down on his view in Friday's press conference in Miami, as he arrived bedecked in jewellery, stating that "if they [the FIA] stop me, so be it".
FIA scrutineering references Mercedes and Hamilton
Following this, an initial scrutineering document issued by the FIA made reference to Mercedes and Hamilton. According to the document, Mercedes have not confirmed in their submitted self-scrutineering sheet that Hamilton "is complying with the requirement to not wear any jewellery, in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains or watches". The document was signed off by FIA F1 Technical Delegate Jo Bauer, with no further word as to what might happen next. At last weekend's Monaco E-Prix, Pascal Wehrlein and Mitch Evans were both given a penalty point on their Super Licence - and suspended €1000 fines - for wearing metal chains around their necks in qualifying.
Hamilton doesn't want "a fight" over "very silly" issue
Amid the furore, Hamilton made clear during the press conference that he is pushing for talks with new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. "I'm willing to sign a waiver, to take the responsibility away from them [the FIA], if they want me to," said Hamilton. "I tried calling Mohammed this morning, he was busy, but I sent him a message just reassuring him that I want to be an ally. I don't want to fight. It's very, very silly. "But I've not heard back yet, so maybe he's texting me, I don't know. But I'll try and speak to him before the race."
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