BLING IT ON SAYS LEWIS IN FIA ROW

me then so be it. We’ve got a spare driver, so we’re well prepped for the weekend. There’s lots to do in the city anyway.”

Dutchman Nick de Vries, 27, who has never raced in F1, is Mercedes’ reserve driver in Miami.

But in a letter to all teams on Thursday night, Wittich emphasised the regulation that states: “The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start.”

Wittich then went into extensive detail explaining why jewellery is forbidden, saying that it can reduce the effectiveness of flame-resistant clothing, can get snagged and, among other things, can get dislodged in an accident.

But seven time world champion Hamilton repeated his stance that he will keeping the bling in place at the drivers’ press conference yesterday, which he attended wearing rings on every finger (right), three watches – set to different time zones, a bangle, strings of necklaces and studs in both ears. A further nose piercing was hidden by his face mask.

“I couldn’t get any more jewellery on today,” continued Hamilton, adding that he felt the clampdown was almost a backward step at a time when the sport and governing FIA should be focused on its latest big breakthrough in America.

“This is such a small thing,” he said. “It seems unnecessary for us to get into this spat.”

Asked what the solution might be, Hamilton (top, being allowed out for practice) indicated there was only so much he could do.

“I can’t remove at least two of them,” he said. “One I can’t really explain where it is. But what I can say is it’s platinum that I have, so it’s non-magnetic, it’s never been a safety issue in the past. I’ve had in 16 years so many MRI scans and not had to take out the platinum.

“It’s never been a safety issue in the past. I am willing to sign a waiver to take the responsibility away from the FIA if I need to. It is about individuality and being who you are.”

Hamilton heads into Sunday’s race 57 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc. He finished 13th in Imola last time out and was lapped by current champion Max Verstappen.