The FIA are set to give Sir Lewis Hamilton a little more time to remove his jewellery while racing amid the continued debate.
The FIA have given the drivers two reminders this season of the regulation introduced in 2005 that mandates the removal of metallic artefacts before stepping into the car.
This is due to the risk of aggravating injuries should there be a fire following a crash or any other incident that sparks flames, and race director Niels Wittich also highlighted that wearing jewellery can adversely affect “diagnosis” during “medical imaging.”
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Hamilton, who is known for wearing plenty of jewellery, hit back against this in Miami, affirming that there are bigger issues that the governing body should be focused on right now.
“It’s almost like a step backwards if you think about the steps we’re taking as a sport and the more important issues and causes we need to be focusing on,” he said in the press conference.
“I think we’ve made such great strides as a sport… this is such a small thing.
“I’ve been in this sport for 16 years [and] I’ve been wearing jewellery for 16 years. In the car I only ever have my earrings on and my nose ring which I can’t even remove.”
The seven-time champion does not want to start an argument with FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, but is unsure why there is now such a big clampdown.
“It’s about individuality and being who you are. I sent a message just reassuring him that I want to be an ally. I don’t want to fight with you guys over this. This is very, very silly,” added Hamilton.
“I’ll try to communicate and work with Mohammed. I’m here to be an ally of Mohammed, of the sport and Formula 1, and as I said I think we’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
The Briton was then given an exemption until this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, which he simply brushed off his shoulder.
“I got an exemption for here, I’ll get an exemption for the rest of the year. Wedding rings are also allowed,” stated the Mercedes driver.
“There is no doubt that I will continue to discuss this topic. Next time I’ll wear four watches,” he added, referring to the three watches on three different time zones that he wore in the Miami press conference.
As it turns out, RacingNews365.com now report that the exemption will extend beyond this weekend, so no punishment is expected to be handed out to Hamilton or anyone else.
Instead, the drivers are expected to further their negotiations with president of the FIA medical commission, Dr Peter Petherbridge.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen also weighed in on the debate, affirming that he would not feel comfortable removing his wedding ring.
“I understand what they are they saying, but it is a wedding ring around your finger,” he explained.
“I’ll take a little bit of extra burn on my finger to race in my wedding ring. And if something was going to happen, something bad, I would want to wear my wedding ring. It kind of feels bad to take it off.
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“With something like that, like your wedding ring. Let us take that responsibility. There must be somehow to remove liability.”
Formula1News.co.uk has contacted an FIA member to enquire as to when regulation might be enforced.