Scottish Daily Mail

Hamilton jewellery saga will be first test of chief’s mettle

- By JONATHAN McEVOY

FORMULA One’s new race director Niels Wittich faces a significan­t test of his authority today over whether Lewis Hamilton can wear jewellery in the cockpit. The German official has been put in an invidious position by his boss, FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, who made a big issue of the subject at a meeting of the F1 Commission last week. Sources said Ben Sulayem was ‘obsessed’ with the topic, which is seen by most observers as a thinlyveil­ed dig at Hamilton. Ben Sulayem’s stance means Wittich either has to take the subject up directly with Hamilton at the drivers’ briefing this evening ahead of the Miami Grand Prix — or duck out of what might prove a massive fight. Hamilton went on record when the jewellery issue was initially raised, saying he would defy the ruling, which has been in place for many years but has not been enforced in recent times. The dispute was not addressed in Imola a fortnight ago, but is resurfacin­g. John Watson, a multiple grand prix winner in the 1970s and ’80s, said: ‘I never wore any jewellery for the simple reason that if I was in a fire I didn’t want metal on me. But the FIA have turned a blind eye to it in the case of Lewis for years, through the reigns of the last two race directors, Charlie Whiting and Michael Masi. Now, suddenly, it is a big issue for some reason. ‘Lewis may take the view that it is so much part of him, wearing nose studs and the like, that he won’t give in to any pressure. He can do what he wants now. He could even decide to walk out of the whole sport if they try to force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he tells them where to stick it.’ Wittich, who has recovered from a recent bout of Covid, took over from Masi in February after the Australian was sacked for his handling of last year’s titledecid­ing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He has deliberate­ly tried to keep out of the limelight — until now.

 ?? ?? Bling: Hamilton
Bling: Hamilton

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