“I couldn’t get any more jewelry on today,” the seven-time
world champion said.
Hamilton arrived in the paddock wearing an all-denim outfit
with several open buttons on his long-sleeved shirt that showed at least four
stacked necklaces. Hamilton later emerged in his Mercedes shirt wearing at
least three watches and with four rings on each hand. He also has earrings and
a nose ring, and said some of the piercings cannot be removed.
The FIA on Thursday tightened its ban on non-regulatory
underwear and body piercings by making it part of official scrutineering,
meaning such choices are subject to review by race officials.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said he thought FIA was
being petty and wondered if the rule was specific for Hamilton.
“I think it is a bit unnecessary to blow this topic up and
probably at this stage is more of a personal thing, I feel a particular way
targeted to Lewis,” Vettel said. “In a way, there’s a concern for safety,
obviously if you have stuff and the car does catch fire. To some degrees, there
is personal freedom and we are old enough to make our own choices.”
The governing body for Formula One said drivers may be
subjected to checks before competition because “the wearing of jewelry
underneath the required flameproof clothing can reduce the protection afforded
by this equipment.”
“Metallic objects, such as jewelry in contact with the skin
can reduce heat transmission protection and thus may increase the risk of burn
injuries in the event of a fire,” the FIA wrote. “The wearing of jewelry during
the competition can hinder both medical interventions as well as subsequent
diagnosis and treatment should it be required following an accident.”
The FIA said jewelry can snag during emergency removal from
a car, and can also complicate or delay medical imagining.
“In the worst case, the presence of jewelry during imaging
may cause further injury,” the FIA wrote. “Jewelry in and/or around the airway
can pose specific additional risks should it become dislodged during an
accident and either ingested or inhaled.”
Hamilton has been pushing back since the FIA first announced
a potential clampdown and on Friday said he’d sign a waiver assuming all
responsibility. He said he has worn his bling while competing for 16 years in
F1 without an issue, and also undergone numerous medical imaging sessions also
while wearing his jewelry.
Hamilton said he sent new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
a message before arriving at the track noting the jewelry fight seemed silly in
the big picture and that “I don’t want to fight with you guys, ever.”
He said he hoped for further discussions with Sulayem and
the FIA, but sounded prepared to hold his ground.
“If they stop me, then so be it,” Hamilton said. “We’ve got
spare drivers ready and prepped for weekends. There’s lots of things going on
in the city, anyway, so I’ll be good either way.” -AP
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