F1: Jewelry row with FIA won’t see their ‘pet’ Hamilton miss Silverstone GP (Update)
Lewis Hamilton has removed his nose stud ahead of the British Grand Prix, seemingly ending the controversy over Formula One’s jewelry ban.
In reality, he faced a fine on the first three instances, with a ban then being enforced if he continued to defy the rule. He was not fined because he is the FIA’s ‘pet’ driver.
On Friday, during practice for his home race, TV cameras showed Hamilton without the stud in his nose, ending the standoff between the seven-time world champion and racing’s governing body.
Lewis Hamilton is set for another collision course with Formula One’s governing body over the jewelry row which could threaten his participation at Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
A record 142,000 fans are expected at Silverstone for one of the highlights of Britain’s sporting summer – the majority of whom will be there to support seven-time world champion Hamilton.
But Hamilton, 37, is facing the astonishing prospect of being expelled from his home race – with the FIA’s deadline to remove his nose stud expiring on Thursday.
Hamilton was afforded a two-race medical exemption at the Miami Grand Prix on May 8 – to the seventh round of the campaign in Monaco on May 29 – to remove the item of jewelry which he says is not easy to take out. A second extension was then agreed.
But if Hamilton keeps his nose stud in place for first practice at Silverstone on Friday, and further concessions are not granted by the FIA, Hamilton is likely to be summoned to the stewards.
While a number of options are available to the stewards – including a reprimand or fine – the worst-case scenario for Hamilton is a suspension for breaking the rules.
Such a breach would mean he is ineligible to take part in qualifying on Saturday for his home race.
The ban on drivers wearing jewelry in the cockpit has been in place for a number of years.
But FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, who succeeded Jean Todt last December, and race director Niels Wittich, a replacement for the sacked Michael Masi, have been keen to enforce the rule on safety grounds. And there is a growing feeling within the governing body that additional exemptions should not be granted.