Lewis Hamilton faces being barred from racing in this weekend’s British Grand Prix due to the FIA’s tough stance on drivers wearing jewelery at the wheel. The 37-year-old is known to regularly wear a nose stud and earrings during races and has received an exception to the FIA’s decision to apply his firm view on the matter throughout this season.
Hamilton was forced to take off his earrings at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year, but claimed he could not remove the stud from his nose because the hole had closed to the point that it was impossible to do so. The FIA gave him a deadline to resolve the issue which will end on Thursday, meaning he could be sensationally banned from competing at Silverstone if he fails to comply.
The Mercedes driver initially received a two-race medical exemption that covered him until the Monaco Grand Prix, at which time an extension was agreed by the relevant parties. If Hamilton decides not to take his nose off when he goes to the FP1 booth at Silverstone on Friday, the worst case scenario could see him banned from competing until he can take off his jewelery.
However, there will be a number of alternative options available to commissioners, such as a reprimand or fines. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will be able to meet the demands of the FIA or whether he will face the unfortunate prospect of not being able to compete in the Grand Prix at home when the action on the track begins on Friday.
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Hamilton is not the only driver on the F1 grid who wears jewelery on a regular basis, but he is certainly the highlight and many spectators have suggested that he is being the specific target of the FIA’s tough view on the rule, which has been in place for almost 20 years. Recently, he has criticized the organization’s stance on drivers wearing jewelry insisting they had been disproportionate before admitting he would be willing to reach a compromise that suits all parties.
“It almost seems like a step back,” Hamilton told reporters at the Miami Grand Prix. “If you think about the steps we’re taking as a sport and the most important issues and causes we need to focus on, I think we’ve made great strides as a sport. [but] this is such a small thing.
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“I’ve been playing sports for 16 years, I’ve been wearing jewelry for 16. I’ve only worn earrings and a nose ring in the car, which I can’t even take off. It seems unnecessary to us. To get into this fight.
“I will try to communicate and work with Mohammed [Ben Sulayem, FIA president]I’m here to be an ally of the sport, of Muhammad and Formula 1, and I think we have bigger fish to fry, bigger things to do, more impact to have, so I think that’s the focus here. it should be.”
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