In the television broadcast it was seen that Lewis Hamilton had the nose piercing during the Marina Bay weekend, after having removed it before the summer, following the FIA ban related to jewelery behind the wheel of single-seaters.
Therefore, the seven-time world champion was called to testify before the stewards after Free Practice 3, while Mercedes was asked to explain why on his self-control form he had ensured that the driver did not have the piercing.
Hamilton was saved from the penalty after the stewards accepted his explanation, which was based on the fact that he could not remove the piercing by medical prescription, since the fact of continuously removing it had caused an infection in his nose in recent months.
“The stewards consulted the FIA medical delegate, Dr Ian Roberts , who saw the medical report and accepted it,” the FIA statement said.
“In light of the circumstances, we have decided not to take any further action.”
At the post-qualifying press conference in Singapore, after finishing third behind Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez, Hamilton gave his side of the story, saying “that was all I told them (the stewards) before the classification”.
“I’m not trying to reveal myself (by wearing the piercing). I’ve been wearing the jewelry and nose ring for many years. O bviously, we had that surprise earlier in the year and at the time I didn’t want to and couldn’t.”
“I was given a timeout, which lasted many races, an exemption until I could find a solution. Then I went to a site to have it removed and find a way to put it on and take it off.
“It got infected for that reason, I got a blood blister and I got a sore on my nose.”
“In the last two weeks it has started to heal and the medical staff have asked me to keep it on.”
“It’s crazy that we have to talk about something so small. I take everything else away. Right now I don’t care, to be honest.”
“I don’t know, it’s all a bit silly. Let’s hope they’re sensible. The stewards should be there to look out for our safety, that’s the most important thing, but this is not a safety issue.”
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc wore a silver ring on his right hand at the press conference, but when asked if he had worn it during qualifying he said: “No, I didn’t. I always take them off and I put it back once the session is over”.
The FIA document confirming that Mercedes had indeed been fined for submitting the auto-control form in the wrong way stated that the team’s sporting director, Ron Meadows , “was unaware that Hamilton was wearing a piercing (inside the car).”
“In recent events, Hamilton had had his piercing removed before each session.”
“The team assumed, without asking Hamilton, that he had followed, or would follow, the same procedure.”
“The stewards accept that the error on the form in this case was not intentional or deliberate, but it would not have occurred had Hamilton been questioned by the team prior to completing and submitting the statement,” the statement concluded.
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