Hamilton hints at withdrawing in Miami amid dispute over jewellery

Lewis Hamilton indicated he was ready to withdraw from tomorrow’s Miami Grand Prix in his ongoing jewellery row with Formula One’s governing body.

Hamilton arrived for Thursday’s official FIA press conference wearing a ring on every finger, a series of necklaces, a bracelet, piercings in both ears and three watches – two on his left wrist and one on his right – in a show of defiance.

The ban on jewellery in the cockpit has been in place for years. But the ruling is now being enforced by new F1 race director Niels Wittich and Mohammed ben Sulayem, the FIA president.

But, in response, seventime world champion Hamilton said: “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.”

Dutchman Nick de Vries, 27, who has never raced in F1, is Mercedes’ reserve driver. The teams received a scrutineering message from the FIA on Wednesday, stating: “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.”

Explaining the ruling, the FIA added: “Metallic objects, such as jewellery, in contact with the skin can reduce heat transmission protection and thus may increase the risk of burn injuries in the event of a fire.”

It also pointed to possible complications extracting drivers in an emergency or the risk of inhaling a piece of jewellery.

But Hamilton said: “We have made such great strides and this is such a small thing. I have been in the sport for 16 years and I have been wearing jewellery for 16 years. In the car, I only have my earrings on and my nose ring, which I cannot remove.

“It seems unnecessary for us to get into this spat so I will try to communicate and work with Mohammed.

“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.”

The PA news agency understands Hamilton will require a medical exemption to prove his piercings cannot be removed to avoid a sanction from the FIA.

Hamilton heads into tomorrow’s first grand prix in Miami 57 points behind championship leader Charles Leclerc. Hamilton finished 13th in Imola and was lapped by Max Verstappen a fortnight ago.

Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko poked fun at Hamilton by saying he should have retired last year, while Hamilton’s former rival Nico Rosberg has also been critical of the Briton’s performance.