Hamilton appears to back down in FIA jewellery row

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has removed the nose stud that has been causing controversy since the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

The FIA ordered that Formula 1 drivers were not to wear any jewellery whilst driving, a rule that has been in place since 2005 but never enforced before this season, and Hamilton was the focus after being given a two-race exemption, Spain and Monaco.

He continued to wear the stud in Montreal with no action taken, claiming that he needed surgical intervention to remove it.

However, it was reported that he could be banned from competing in his home race this weekend if he didn’t comply.

I will be working with the FIA says Hamilton

As a result, he removed the stud prior to first practice getting underway, stating that he was prepared to work with the FIA over the issue, even if he believed they had bigger issues they needed to work on.

"It’s kind of crazy to think, with all that is going on in the world, that is a focus for people. I would say that it is worrying, because we’ve got so much bigger fish to fry," said Hamilton, speaking to select members of the media, including RacingNews365.com.

"We’ve really got to start focusing on other, more important areas. I will be racing this weekend. I will be working with the FIA. I would say that the matter is not massively important.

"I will work with Mohammed [Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA] and his team so that we can progress.”