Lewis Hamilton's Jewellery Sparks Controversy Ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
The 2023 F1 season is about to start with the Bahrain Grand Prix, but already there's a hot topic of debate surrounding Lewis Hamilton. The 7-time world champion's name is conspicuously absent from the list of drivers who have been checked by their teams before the first race. The reason? Hamilton's jewellery. This is what we know.
The FIA has tightened its regulations when it comes to driver compliance. Drivers are no longer allowed to wear jewellery or piercings while in the cockpit of their machinery for safety purposes. Because of this, teams must confirm to the FIA that their drivers have been checked before the race weekend. So far, all teams have complied... except for Mercedes. #44 is missing from the list and, with now two nose piercings instead of just one last year, it's no secret as to why.
Missing from the List
Mercedes has included George Russell on the list, but Lewis Hamilton's name is missing. According to regulations by the FIA, any driver who fails to pass this compliance check will be referred to the stewards.
The Debate
The absence of Hamilton's name from the list has sparked a debate among F1 fans and pundits. Some argue that it's just a minor issue and that the individuality of each driver, such as Hamilton, should be preserved. Others see it as a blatant disregard for the rules and a sign of arrogance on the part of the driver and the team.
What's Next For Hamilton?
As of now, there's no official statement from Mercedes or Lewis Hamilton regarding the compliance check. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will remove his jewellery to comply with the FIA regulations or if he will face sanctions from the stewards. Either way, the F1 season is kicking off.