Formula 1 is an extremely dangerous sport and therefore the FIA go above and beyond to ensure that all of the drivers stay as safe as possible.
As well as inventions on the cars such as the halo, there are also rules and regulations that drivers are required to follow for their own safety.
One of these rules bans the drivers from wearing jewellery, due to the fact that a piecing or chain could cause disfigurement if caught in a crash.
With this in mind, teams must submit self-scrutineering sheets to confirm to the FIA that their drivers are following the rules, keeping their safety at the highest priority.
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Lewis Hamilton has continually gone against the FIA in recent seasons by wearing piercings and jewellery, being reprimanded and called into meetings with the FIA multiple times.
Heading into the 2023 season it appears that Hamilton has no intention to change his mind and follow the no jewellery rule, with Mercedes failing to submit the self-scrutineering sheet on his behalf.
“The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team has not confirmed for his driver Lewis Hamilton (44) in the submitted self-scrutineering sheet that he is complying with the requirement to not wear any jewellery, in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains or watches,” read an official statement from Jo Bauer, the FIA Formula One technical delegate.
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Should one of Hamilton’s piercings or neck chains get caught during a crash it could cause him serious damage, a risk which the Brit is clearly willing to take.
It has been suggested by some that it is Hamilton’s life and body and therefore he should be allowed to do what he wants with regards to jewellery, a stance which the FIA currently disagree with.
Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with the FIA is currently at an all-time low, as F1’s governing body have also banned drivers from making political gestures, something which Hamilton does quite often in order to raise awareness about important issues in the world.