The FIA had given drivers until the day before the weekend at Silverstone to have difficult-to-remove jewelry removed. To avoid a possible punishment, Lewis Hamilton appeared without his nose piercing during the first free practice session on Friday (1)
The first free practice session on Friday (1) for the British GP was slow, almost stopped, but a very small detail did not go unnoticed by the most attentive: Lewis Hamilton participated in the session without his nose piercing. It is worth remembering that the FIA (International Automobile Federation) had postponed to June 30 - that is, the day before the weekend at Silverstone - the application of the rule that forbids the use of jewelry and other accessories during track activities.
The debate around the issue intensified in Australia, first with the race management reinforcing through a statement sent to the teams the measure that has been part of the regulation since 2005. Then, over the weekend in Miami, the FIA decided to increase the strictness, giving a two-race deadline to drivers with "difficult to remove jewelry" on their bodies to remove it.
Immediately, Hamilton reacted to the decision, appearing at the press conference covered in necklaces, rings, and watches. Even so, the expectation was that, in Monaco, the driver would be forced to give up the accessories at the risk of being punished. But the entity decided to postpone the application of the rule again, this time for the week of the British GP.
Everything indicates that, now, the FIA has decided to put the rule into practice, and Hamilton appeared - at least for the first free practice of the day - without his nose piercing. But not without first telling the press that he still saw more important issues that the entity needs to worry about.
"With all due respect, it's kind of crazy to think that with everything that's going on in the world, this is in the spotlight for people. I would say it's worrisome, even. We have more important things to worry about," said the seven-time champion, clearly referring to the recent cases of racism, both the one he himself suffered and the one that culminated in Jüri Vips' dismissal from Red Bull's Driver Academy.
"We really have to start focusing on more important matters. I will race this weekend," he assured. "I'm going to work with the FIA. I would say that this issue is not particularly important, but I will work with Mohammed [Ben Sulayem, FIA president] and his team to move forward on this.
Regarding the rule that prohibits the use of jewelry and other accessories, although there is no official document that explains what penalties will be applied to those who break the rules, Autosport magazine reported at the time that a first offense would result in a fine of US$52,000. In case of a repeat offense, the penalty would be up to US$265,000. And a third offense could cause the driver in question to lose championship points.