MIAMI ICED
Jewels will go as a change of mind sees Lewis return
LEWIS HAMILTON was talked out of his threat to withdraw from the Miami Grand Prix following a summit with FIA chief Mohammed ben Sulayem.
The seven-time world champion indicated he was ready to boycott today’s maiden Formula One race here amid the governing body’s jewellery cockpit clampdown.
Hamilton addressed the media in Friday’s FIA press conference wearing an assortment of rings, bracelets, necklaces and piercings in a clear message of defiance, before saying: “If they stop 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.”
But less than three hours later, and after a discussion with Ben Sulayem, and a meeting with the FIA’s President of the Medical Commission, Dr Sean Petherbridge, Hamilton was convinced on safety grounds to remove his earrings.
Hamilton was also afforded a two-race medical exemption for his nose stud, which cannot be easily taken out.
The 37-year-old will have to remove the piercing before the Monaco Grand Prix on May 29, or face a possible sanction from the FIA – likely to be in the form of a fine or points on his licence.
Speaking about Hamilton’s change of heart, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “It is clear that regulations are here to protect the drivers.
“But on the other side we need diversity and the means of expressing yourself and we know that this is important to Lewis.”
Hamilton will head into today’s fifth round of the new campaign 58 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc.
The Mercedes driver has struggled to get on top of his under-performing machinery, and finished 13th a fortnight ago in Imola.
But Hamilton and the Silver Arrows have brought a series of upgrades to America – and teammate George Russell posted the fastest time in second practice.
“We have brought some parts that function,” added Wolff. “The track surface seems to be very smooth here so our bouncing problem is not as bad as some of the other tracks.
“We have managed to chip away at lap time.”
With Russell having scored 21 more points than Hamilton, Wolff said: “We were never in any doubt that George would be very good.
“I like his approach, he is very rational, whether he is fastest or 11th,
A
FRANTIC qualifying battle at the Miami Grand Prix yesterday saw Ferrari’s Chales Leclerc claim pole position at the death with his time of 1min 28.796secs. His team-mate Carlos Sainz came in second leaving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) took fourth, with Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) fifth and Lewis Hamilton sixth. Hammy’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell was out in Q2 despite being the quickest in Friday’s practice. it is just about applying the science and trying to make the car faster.
“But at the same time Lewis was unlucky to be stuck in a DRS train last time out.
“I enjoy seeing them working together, the level is high from both of them – and that has put us in a decent position in the constructors’ championship, so I couldn’t ask for a better pairing.”