Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been branded ‘childish’ by former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher over their protest against the FIA’s decision to ban jewellery in the cockpit of the car. FIA race director Niels Wittich confirmed all teams must comply with safety regulations which includes removing jewellery, and wearing specific underwear.
Hamilton - who is known for wearing a whole host of different jewellery - was less than impressed by the ruling, and appeared at his Miami press conference on Friday wearing multiple watches, chains and piercings, whilst also threatening a boycott.
When asked about a potential boycott he responded: “We have a spare driver. There's lots to do in the city, I'll be good either way."
The seven-time-world champion had already revealed he would have to ‘chop his ear off’ if he was to comply with all FIA rulings, due to permanent piercings in his right ear. Hamilton commented: “They’re stuff that I can’t move. I literally can’t even take these out – these ones in my right ear – they’re literally welded in, so I’d have to get them chopped off or something like that. So they’ll be staying.”
Following his protests, Hamilton received support from fellow former world champion Vettel, who believes the FIA’s ruling is ‘targeted specifically’ at the Englishman. Vettel himself also shared a protest of his own, wearing his underwear on the outside of his overalls in response to the banning of the drivers' underwear of choice.
Addressing the FIA’s new safety concerns surrounding flammable underwear in the car, the German said: “Really, is that the most exciting thing we can talk about? Obviously, if the car does catch fire, it will be unpleasant. But on the other hand, to some degree, it's personal freedom, and we're old enough to make our choices outside the car as well as inside the car."
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Vettel and Hamilton’s protests however have since been slammed by ex-driver Schumacher, describing them as ‘childish’ and accusing the pair of ‘mocking’ the FIA. He told Sky Germany: “They should be committed to safety. Especially after Romain Grosjean's accident (in Bahrain in 2020), the drivers should know better.
“The FIA is absolutely right - the young guys in Formula 4 and 3 should see that the F1 drivers stick to the rules. When the most experienced people like Vettel and Hamilton mock the FIA, I think it's childish."
