Hamilton to risk £215,000 fine in defiance of FIA

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to defy the FIA over the wearing of his nose ring - which could lead to a £215,000 fine.

Following qualifying for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton again expressed his frustration at the FIA's decision this season to uphold a long-held but never-previously enforced regulation regarding the wearing of jewellery.

Ahead of practice on Friday, Hamilton climbed down to a degree by removing nearly all of his other piercings. The nose ring, however, is understood to require minor surgery to take out.

Backtracking themselves, the FIA has now agreed to allow wedding rings to be worn.

Other jewellery, however, must be removed. Should a driver refuse, he will initially be fined £42,000 [$52,000]. Repeat offences will then rise up to £215,000 [$250,000].

"This whole safety thing, man," said Hamilton after qualifying sixth for Sunday's race at the Miami International Autodrome.

"When they [the FIA] told me about the jewellery, they said safety is everything. And I said, 'Well, what's happened over the last 16 years? I've had jewellery for the last 16 years, so was safety not an issue back then?"

Hamilton has been given a two-race exemption - Miami and the Spanish GP - to comply with the rules before the FIA will then act at the following race in Monaco.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the resolution regarding the wearing of jewellery, Hamilton replied: "No."

As to taking the nose ring out permanently, he again said "no", to which he was asked 'You're not going to do it?'. He again said "no".

He then added: "I got an exemption here, I'll get an exemption for the rest of the year. Wedding rings are allowed."

As to what will happen come Monaco, he said: "I'll wear four watches next time."

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