Under the direction of the new Formula 1 Race Director, Niels Wittich , some articles of the FIA International Sporting Code have started to be applied in a more strict way during the first part of the 2022 season, including those related to the use of jewels at the wheel of the single-seater.
After a reminder was issued in Australia regarding the use of piercings or other jewelry by drivers while driving their race cars, a new crackdown came in Miami when controls to ensure compliance with this rule came into being. part of the technical verification prior to each F1 session.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton called the move “unnecessary” and “a step backwards”, saying he had no plans to remove his piercings. The Briton claimed that, for example, his nose piercing could not be easily removed, receiving a two-race exemption to comply with this article of the FIA Sporting Code.
This exemption covered Miami and Spain, but now it has been extended until the end of June, so that during the next three races in Monaco, Azerbaijan and Canada, the seven-time world champion will be able to continue wearing some of his jewels at the wheel of his single-seater. .
The measure, on the other hand, is intended to allow the dialogue between the drivers and the FIA medical staff to continue, which is trying to find a solution so that the article of Appendix L of the ISC is complied with in a safe way and, in turn, sensible.
These talks started after the drivers’ briefing in Spain, and the FIA’s concerns seem to revolve mainly around the safety issues that wearing jewelery in a serious accident can mean.
Lewis Hamilton Jewelry and Watches, Mercedes-AMG
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Romain Grosjean’s shocking collision at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix is cited as an example of an accident where any jewelery could cause problems when trying to get drivers out of the car.
However, some remain unsure of what they can or cannot wear when behind the wheel of their F1 cars, including wedding rings.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen said in Monaco on Thursday that he would seek clarification from the FIA on whether or not he is allowed to wear his wedding ring while driving.
“I’ll agree to burn my finger a bit more to compete on my wedding ring,” Magnussen said. “And if something happens, something bad, I would like to have my wedding ring with me. I feel bad taking it off.”
“With something like that, like your wedding ring, we take on that responsibility. There must be some way to come to terms with it.”
The Danish driver said in Monaco that he would be happy to wear his wedding ring, but would check with the FIA first, because he did not want to risk a penalty.
“I like to wear my wedding ring, so if it’s allowed, I’ll wear it,” she explained. “But first I’ll go and double check before I do it.”
Magnussen said that since Miami he had always removed his ring before getting in the car, because he thought the ban was pretty broad.
“I took it off once they said there was a €50,000 fine. That’s it, I put it in my drawer! I’m not going to take the risk,” concluded the Haas driver.
