FIA talks called for over Hamilton jewellery furore

Hamilton, Mercedes, Miami, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

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FIA talks called for over Hamilton jewellery furore

Gasly outlined his own concerns over the clampdown

Ewan Gale

Sunday 8 May 2022 12:30 Updated: 07:48

AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly has revealed his own personal issues with the FIA's clampdown on jewellery and called for talks with F1's governing body in the wake of the continued furore.

New race director Niels Wittich outlined the clampdown with a reminder of safety consequences provided earlier in the season, with checks included in pre-race scrutineering ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton revealed he was prepared for an FIA ban given his reluctance to comply with the clampdown, with Sebastian Vettel suggesting the Mercedes driver was being targeted.

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Asked if he had any sympathy for Hamilton with regards to the jewellery clampdown, Gasly replied: "Well, I do understand.

"I do believe there are bigger things to focus on and I appreciate the FIA looking after our safety. It is their priority and our priority.

"In my personal case, I have also a religious item that I wear with me when I am racing that is important to me which I don't feel comfortable not having with me when driving the car.

"I do feel it is a little bit personal. We should have the freedom to do what we feel is right for us at the end of the day. We have the responsibility to go out there, put our lives at risk and I do feel it should be a personal choice.

"But I respect the FIA and their will to always improve our safety, but I would appreciate talks with them to see if we can find a better solution than such a strict kind of decision as they made so let's see what we can do."

Expressing his thoughts on the debate, Williams driver Alex Albon said: "I agree with Lewis' comments and I understand it is our body at the same time as well.

"Like everything when you are older, you are prepared to have those consequences.

"If you want to do what you want to do, then so be it, you have a freedom to be yourself."