Lewis Hamilton wears jewelry, blasts new F1 piercing crackdown

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton protested the FIA’s crackdown on body piercings Friday by showing up at the Miami Grand Prix wearing every piece of jewelry he could fit on his body and suggesting he was willing to sit out races over the issue.

Hamilton arrived in the paddock wearing an all-denim outfit with several open buttons on his longsleeved shirt that showed at least four stacked necklaces. Hamilton was later seen wearing at least three watches and with four rings on each hand. He also has earrings and a nose ring.

“I couldn’t get any more jewelry on today,” he said.

The FIA on Thursday tightened its ban on nonregulatory underwear and body piercings when new race director Niels Wittich issued a bulletin that makes the rule part of official scrutineering, meaning such choices are subject to review by race officials.

Hamilton said when he is in the car,“I only have my earrings and my nose ring, which I can’t remove.” Hamilton said he sent new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem a message before arriving at the track noting the jewelry fight seemed silly and that “I don’t want to fight with you guys, ever.” But he also sounded prepared to hold his ground.

“If they stop me, then so be it,” Hamilton said. “We’ve got spare drivers ready.” The governing body for Formula One said the primary issue is safety. It said drivers may be subjected to checks before competition because“the wearing of jewelry underneath the required flameproof clothing can reduce the protection afforded by this equipment.”