Lewis Hamilton could be refused to race in the upcoming British Grand Prix as the row over wearing jewellery rumbles on.
The seven time world champion and the FIA have been standing off about the rule that bans drivers from wearing jewellery to the track. With the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem insisting that it is a major health and safety issue.
If Hamilton does arrive to the track with jewellery on, he could be banned from racing in his home Grand Prix in the most extreme circumstances. A decision that will for sure rattle the 140,000 fans hoping to cheer on the home favourite.
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The grace period regarding jewellery wearing ended on Wednesday and both Hamilton and the FIA are not showing signs of backing down. Hamilton insisted earlier on that his nose stud will remain.
He has previously said: “I feel almost like it’s a step backwards, if you think of the steps we are taking as a sport and the more important issues and causes we need to be focused on.”
“I think we’ve made such great strides as a sport. This is such a small thing. I’ve been in the sport for 16 years, I’ve been wearing jewellery for 16 years.”
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“In the car I only have my earrings on and my nose ring, which I can’t even remove. It seems unnecessary for us to get into this spat.”
Former Channel 4 F1 commentator, Ben Edwards has branded the FIA’s decision to crack down on jewellery as ‘strange’.
He said: “It’s an odd one the FIA have suddenly done it when for years, these guys have been wearing jewellery very obviously and nobody has said anything.”
“It does feel a bit strange they’ve suddenly slammed down a rule like this on such a situation. In a way, they should have done it a long time ago or they should have gradually built it up.”
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Hamilton has been clouded in controversy through no fault of his own this week, after former driver Nelson Piquet appeared to use a racially offensive word when referring to the Brit during an interview last year.
The Brazilian later released a statement apologising to Hamilton and insisted that he did not have any racial intent with his words and claims his comments were mistranslated.
The British Grand Prix will take place this weekend at Silverstone. Will Hamilton be on the starting grid? Only time will tell.
Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1
Marcus Chan