Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamiton disregarded the FIA’s jewellery prohibition rule enacted ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, vowing to continue wearing jewellery during races.
The seven-time World Champion raced on Sunday with both ears pierced and a nose stud. The F1 jewellery restriction was implemented as a safety precaution to decrease the risk drivers confront when attempting to escape from a car following a crash.
What is the rule?
Director Niels Wittich said in pre-race remarks ahead of the Australian GP New event that “the wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited throughout the competition.”
FIA race director Niels Wittich has previously mentioned the (F1 jewellery prohibition) in Jeddah, but this is the first time he has officially mentioned it in the race notes.
The F1 jewellery prohibition was enforced after numerous drivers were seen wearing rings and bracelets while driving. The ban, however, will not take effect when the drivers are wearing jewellery in and around the paddock.
Aside from that, any violation is likely to result in a fine, rather than any kind of sporting penalty.
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton stated that he had no intention of removing them because some of them were welded in. He stated:
“I don’t have any plans on removing it. I feel they are personal things. You should be able to be who you are. I will continue to be…there’s stuff that I can’t move. I literally can’t even take these out [pointing to piercings in his right ear]. They’re welded in so I’d have to get them chopped off or something like that, so they’ll be staying.”
When asked about the stiffer standards and whether he supported the new approach, Lewis Hamilton stated he hadn’t paid attention to everything that was going on.
“Honestly, I don’t have an opinion about it. Nothing has really affected me so far with whatever they are doing. I’ve not really paid much attention to it. I don’t know what those scenarios were so I can’t really comment on them. They are doing the same as always I would imagine.”
“I don’t have any plans on removing them. I feel they are personal things. You should be able to be who you are. There’s stuff that I can’t move”.
Lewis Hamilton is one of the few drivers on the current Formula One grid that wears jewellery in public.
Hamilton finished fourth in the Australian Grand Prix, trailing only to Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez, and George Russell.
