Seven-time Formula One world motor racing champion Lewis Hamilton has told the sport's rulers that he will refuse to remove his nose piercing for the rest of the season.
He appeared to adhere to the FIA’s jewellery cockpit clampdown by taking out his earrings for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix – hours after wearing a plethora of jewellery during a pre-race press conference. He even suggested he could withdraw from the grand prix in protest.
Hamilton was talked out of that specific threat following a discussion with FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem and a meeting with the FIA’s president of the medical commission, Dr Sean Petherbridge, on Friday. The 37-year-old said he would remove his earrings and was handed a two-race medical exemption for his nose stud, which cannot easily be taken out.
However, after qualifying sixth on Saturday, Hamilton said he was not satisfied with the compromise and insisted he would not remove the nose piercing when his exemption expired at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 29. It means he faces a sanction from the FIA – likely to be in the form of a fine, or points on his licence.
“No, [I am not going to do it], ” said Hamilton when asked if he was going to take out his nose stud. “I got an exemption here and I will get exemptions for the rest of the year. Wedding rings are allowed. I will wear four watches next time.”
The ban on drivers wearing jewellery in the cockpit has been in place for a number of years. But the ruling is now being strictly enforced by new F1 race director Niels Wittich and Ben Sulayem on the grounds of safety. However, Hamilton said: “This whole safety thing, man. When they told me about the jewellery, they said safety is everything. And I said, ‘Well, what’s happened for the last 16 years? I’ve had jewellery on for 16 years, so was safety not an issue back then?’”
Hamilton’s remarks are in stark contrast to those of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who appeared to suggest his driver and the FIA would reach an understanding. “What was needed was a dialogue between Lewis and Mohammed,” he said. “It is clear that regulations are here to protect the drivers, but on the other side we need diversity and the means of expressing yourself and we know that this is important to Lewis." He added: "I am sure they will come to a good resolution.”
Hamilton will head into the fifth round of the new campaign 58 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc, who starts on pole for Ferrari. The British driver has struggled to get on top of his underperforming machinery this season but out-qualified team-mate George Russell on Saturday. Russell starts 12th.
“I’m generally really happy with the job I did today,” said Hamilton. “I did the best I could with the car that I had. It’s a very hard car to drive.”
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