Underwear rule butt of jokes

Formula One officials are giving drivers a bum steer – literally.

Just what underwear drivers are choosing at the Australian Grand Prix is under a microscope.

The FIA, the sport’s governing body, has a new race director at Albert Park in Melbourne – Niels Wittich. And he’s concerned at the sport’s bottom line.

Wittich has told F1 drivers they can’t use non-fire retardant underwear beneath their racing suits.

Rules dictate drivers must wear underwear approved to FIA standards. That edict also applies to their gloves, balaclava, socks and shoes.

But the underwear edict, detailed at a drivers’ meeting, is prompting mirth in Melbourne.

‘‘I certainly won’t be checking our drivers’ underwear,’’ Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told reporters yesterday.

‘‘For compliance, I see that as a team manager role.

‘‘Although I’m reliably informed our drivers go commando.

Hopefully, it won’t be an issue for them.’’

Horner said Wittich’s reminder of the underwear rule led to an ‘‘entertaining’’ meeting with drivers.

And it follows Wittich also laying down the law about drivers being banned from wearing jewellery on track. Under FIA rules, jewellery such as any body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during competition.

The sport’s bling king is seventime world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has both ears pierced and is renowned for wearing expensive necklaces.

‘‘I have got certain piercings that I really just can’t take out, that not many people know of,’’ Hamilton said.

Hamilton, who has won more grands prix than anyone, insisted that comment was a joke.

But he said the jewellery ban had been around ‘‘forever’’.

‘‘Since I have been here, it has been the rule, so nothing new,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m just going to come with more jewellery next week.’’