F1- Hamilton, investigated in Singapore for his nose piercing

October 1, 2022

After the third and final free practice session of the 2022 Singapore GP of F1, the FIA notified that Hamilton and a representative of the team had to go to testify before the stewards for a “possible breach of Appendix L of Chapter III of the International Sporting Code of the FIA”.

This Chapter III includes the following articles related to mandatory equipment for F1 drivers:

Article 1 Helmets
Art. 2 Flame retardant clothing
Art. 3 Front head restraint (FHR)
Art. 4 Safety belts
Art. 5 Use of jewelry

Regarding that article 5, it stipulates the following: “The use of jewelery in the form of body piercings or metal chains on the neck is prohibited during the competition and can therefore be controlled before the start.”

In Singapore, Lewis Hamilton wears a small nose piercing that he didn’t wear (or that was removed when he was going to get into the car) in the previous races, as you can see in the image below, and that has been the controversial issue that has forced the Englishman and a representative of the team to testify before the commissioners.

The pilot alleges that his doctor told him that he had to leave it on and not take it off (for a matter of healing and maintenance), and in his defense he is seeking a medical exemption that frees him from a significant fine.

Hamilton was already under the spotlight when F1’s new race directors earlier this season recalled that the use of piercings, rings and watches while driving is prohibited. Everyone quickly thought of Mercedes, who usually wears large and visible jewelry, and who has a nose piercing and several rings in her ears.

However, Hamilton claimed, in addition to showing his discontent, that there are several earrings that cannot be easily removed, so the FIA gave him several more weeks of margin, until the Monaco GP , to remove the jewels.

Although he appeared defiant in Monaco with even more jewels, he finally took a step back at Silverstone and wore a completely clear face, as we also saw in the recent Italian, Dutch or Belgian GPs . However, the Hamilton with a nose piercing has returned, and controversy has broken out.