Hamilton turns page on jewellery storm after positive FIA talks

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

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton turns page on jewellery storm after positive FIA talks

The governing body has pushed back its ban deadline

Ewan Gale

Friday 27 May 2022 11:21 Updated: 11:51

Lewis Hamilton believes the FIA's co-operation with drivers over the ongoing jewellery storm has at least been positive.

But the seven-time F1 champion made no attempt to hide that his patience over the matter is wearing thin.

The FIA had set out a deadline for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix for drivers to comply with its clampdown on the wearing of accessories whilst driving F1 cars before fines and super license points would begin to be handed out.

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But after talks between drivers, the governing body and its medical commission president, Dr Sean Petherbridge, the cut-off point for drivers to be wearing jewellery has been pushed back.

The FIA has also hinted at tweaks to the wording of its regulation given recent confusion over whether wedding rings were permissible or not.

Asked how he would tackle the situation going forward, Hamilton replied: "Honestly, I feel like there is way too much time and energy given to this. I have said everything I feel I need to say on it in the last races.

"That is not where my focus is for this weekend, I have taken out my studs every time I have been in the car and I will continue to do so and the nose ring is not a problem at the moment."

Whilst his desire to move on from the topic was evident, Mercedes driver Hamilton was pushed as to whether he could find a positive from the collaboration between the FIA and the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

"I mean it came in in 2005, I think we have all worn jewellery all of our careers in Formula 1," explained Hamilton.

"It has never been a problem in the past and there is no reason for it to be a problem necessarily now.

"It is positive we are working with them and they are accommodating a little bit at the moment but we shouldn't have to keep on revisiting this thing every weekend. We have definitely got bigger fish to fry."