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Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton: Nose jewelry costs a penalty
PHOTO: HASNOOR HUSSAIN / REUTERS
It's not as if you've seen much of Lewis Hamilton's face jewelry: Even without the racing helmet that the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion wears in the cockpit, his small, silver nose stud can hardly be seen from a distance.
But the motorsport world association Fia is apparently stricter than Catholic parents even with the smallest piercings: jewelry of any kind?
Banned for racers.
Hamilton had repeatedly questioned the usefulness of this jewelry ban in recent months, but still stuck to it.
Until training for the Singapore Grand Prix, where inspectors suddenly discovered a piercing on the Briton's nose.
Apparently a sacrilege: The Fia has been taking tougher action since the beginning of the season and, as a matter of principle, does not want the drivers to wear jewelry behind the wheel - this is dangerous in the event of accidents, it is said, among other things.
The teams themselves are responsible for ensuring that drivers and vehicles start at the official sessions in accordance with the rules.
However, Hamilton's nose stud was not noted on the form on Saturday.
Provocation or attestation?
After the 37-year-old finished third in qualifying, he explained that he hadn't worn the jewelry on purpose, he didn't want to provoke.
Nevertheless, Hamilton was initially to be punished personally, but was able to present a medical certificate from his doctor in conversation with the race stewards.
According to his own statements, he should wear the piercing again after various problems such as an infection.
Hamilton escaped a personal penalty, but his Mercedes racing team was fined 25,000 euros.
The reason: an inaccurate form for self-control at the world motorsport association Fia, on which the plug was not noted.
"Blood, pus and such."
In the press conference after qualifying, Hamilton explained his jewelry faux pas in detail, including medical details.
"I've basically had my jewelry and nose stud for years," says the star.
Then the Fia suddenly started to enforce the rules: "They gave me a few races in which I was an exception until I found a solution.
I had it removed and then it just kept going in and out.
As a result, an infection occurred and I have been traveling with this infection ever since.
I had to get the blood blisters treated disgustingly.
There was blood, pus and all.”
Hamilton then decided to wear the piercing permanently, as in previous years: "I put it back in and in the last two weeks it started to heal.
The doctors asked me to leave it in.” The balance of the adventurous process?
Above all, a great deal of incomprehension: "Well... it's crazy that we're talking about such small things here," said the racing driver.
rai/dpa
