Lewis Hamilton, on Friday, showed up at the Miami International Autodrome with at least four stacked necklaces three watches and four rings on each hand. He also has earrings and a nose ring on. The seven-time world champion was protesting the FIA, the governing body for global motorsport, crackdown on jewellery. 

Hamilton’s actions suggested that he was willing to sit out races over the issue. “I couldn’t get any more jewelry on today,” he said.

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The FIA on Thursday had tightened its ban on non-regulatory underwear and body piercings. In protest, four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel arrived at the paddock with a pair of briefs on over his firesuit.

New race director Niels Wittich issued a bulletin that makes the rule part of official scrutineering, meaning such choices are subject to review by race officials.

“I think it is a bit unnecessary to blow this topic up and probably at this stage is more of a personal thing, I feel a particular way targeted to Lewis,” Vettel said.

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“In a way, there’s a concern for safety, obviously if you have stuff and the car does catch fire. To some degrees, there is personal freedom and we are old enough to make our own choices.”

Hamilton said when he is in the car “I only have my earrings and my nose ring, which I can’t remove.”

Now, can Lewis Hamilton be penalised for defying the FIA?

Wittich has taken a much stronger stance on jewellery ban than his predecessor Michael Masi. 

“The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start,” FIA rules state.

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As per Auto Motor und Sport, drivers who would refuse to remove jewellery will have to pay £42,700 fine for the first offence. This will be in addition to a £21,350 suspended penalty. Repeat offenders will be fined £85,400. The fine for the thirsd instance goes up to £213,500 and the deduction of 10 championship points per offence.