The FIA has agreed to give Lewis Hamilton a two-race exemption as its clampdown on jewellery - or we now call it 'Bling-gate' - come on, it had to happen - continues.

The move follows the seven-time world champion's claim today that he was willing to stand aside and allow a reserve driver to take the wheel of his Mercedes should the FIA press ahead with its ban.

"If they stop me, so be it," he said of the move whereby the banning of jewellery and unapproved underwear have been made part of the official scrutineering submission. "We have spare drivers, so we're ready and prepared for the weekend. There is lots to do in this city so, I'll be good either way!

"I'm willing to sign a waiver, to take the responsibility away from them, if they want me to," he added. "I tried calling (FIA president) Mohammed (Ben Sulayem) this morning, he was busy, but I sent him a message just reassuring him that I want to be an ally. I don't want to fight. It's very, very silly."

Since then, Hamilton has met with officials from the FIA's medical commission where both sides their respective cases forward.

It was eventually agreed that Hamilton would remove his ear jewellery, his nose stud, which is made from platinum and cannot be removed, will stay.

For its part, the FIA was keen to make clear that its motives were based on safety and had nothing to do with preventing drivers expressing themselves personally.

Those items which cannot be easily be removed, such as the nose stud - and no, we cannot believe we are writing this - may remain in place for the forthcoming Grands Prix in Spain and Monaco, though it is unclear if Hamilton will have to have it removed after that.

In the moments before today's opening session, Jo Bauer issued a scrutineering update in which he confirmed that Mercedes had "submitted a completely filled-in self-scrutineering sheet for the 2022 Miami GP".

Previously the scrutineering document had not made clear whether Hamilton was "complying with the requirement to not wear any jewellery, in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains or watches".

Check out our Friday gallery from Miami, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by elsiebc, 07/05/2022 16:39

"Remember the two race exemption that Antonio Liuzzi got? Must be nice having that there white privilege."

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2. Posted by elsiebc, 07/05/2022 16:25

"@Editor You didn't?!?"

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3. Posted by Pavlo, 07/05/2022 13:55

"@Max Noble - this is right in the "real life", but not in sport. Yes, they should think about "reality, humanity and Miss Physics" when writing the rules, or when discussing removing rules, but as long as it's in the book it must be just followed.
We would very welcome policeman who values logic more than the law, and who would allow some to overtake and order some to wait because it is safer. But same applied in Abu Dhabi left so many people unhappy.

Speaking about jewelry, as I see no one objects that some jewelry is dangerous and inappropriate for racing, even Lewis. So we have 2 options: ban it all or define very exactly what is allowed and what is not. Homologating the jewelry allowed in F1 sounds ridiculous, and also has a great risk that with technical advances some materials, forms, placements will be found more dangerous, extending this debate forever. So it's better for the sport to simply ban all and make everyone comply."

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4. Posted by Max Noble, 07/05/2022 12:07

"@JobsWorthUnlimited - Exercising the rules with no note to reality, humanity, or Miss Physics is what brings us to 2022… Seriously.

@Kenji - 70 in a 60 is not really trying now is it?

I bring it back to what is the desired outcome we are chasing? It is a safe universe within which two race; or is it a set of arbitrary rules with which one needs to comply for no good reason… refer “Passing the Port” sketch where they all end up shooting themselves for passing it incorrectly… well that was a great outcome! That sketch sums up what you are all saying… “Damn the logic, follow the (insane) rules!” May the best man die first! "

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5. Posted by kenji, 07/05/2022 11:24

"@ Max.... When I was 19years old I got picked up for speeding...doing 70mph in a 60mph zone on Xmas eve. T Great role model.he police officer spent an inordinate time inspecting my car... a new Morgan 'coupe de ville'. He then asked for my drivers licence and when he saw my birthday on the 25th Dec. he let go with no ticket and the words, 'Love your car'. Drive carefully!!!

@ Mad Matt...If the rule is wrong, get rid of it. If not then throw the book at anyone who not only flouts them but then goes on to mock the FIA. Great role model. What a moronic gesture.

@ jcr....exactement mon ami.
i was about to bring that little doozy up but you were right on the money quick smart. Hubris has no boundaries it appears.
"

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6. Posted by Editor, 07/05/2022 11:10

"Ignoring the fact that I never had the talent in terms of driving...

What would have happened had I opted for that welded on c0ck-ring I'd seen advertised in a Swedish publication when I was 19.

It's a worry"

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7. Posted by jcr, 07/05/2022 10:17

"What has suddenly happened to the WELDED IN ear,rings that couldnt be removed and would have to be cut off (Hammis words) ?? Suddenly brushed under the carpet and the emphasis changed to his nose !!.
I smell a few porkies here !! Wonder how much say MERC had in all of this ??"

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8. Posted by Mad Matt, 07/05/2022 9:42

"I think I agree with Kenji and BTW Max, 61 in a 60 zone would get you a fine if it was the pit lane speed limit :-) Slightly more seriously people working in food preparation have to keep their hair inside a hat and manage without making a song and dance about it, when I worked on a production line I wasn't allowed to wear a necklace... I really can't see the big deal here, just follow the rules and get on with the racing.

I don't mind debate about whether the rule is really necessary but once it's a rule it should be followed."

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9. Posted by Max Noble, 07/05/2022 7:55

"@Kenji - thank the lord you’ve never done 61 kph in a 60 kph zone :-)"

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10. Posted by kenji, 07/05/2022 6:53

"@Max...irrespective of the 'what', if it's in the rules then it has to be complied with, with no exemptions. There is a principle here and if anyone flouts those rules then they need be penalised. No ifs and no buts as if any driver gets away with non compliance then that opens up the entire R & R for exploitation. Most common law is adjudicated on the basis of precedent and failure to act in this case by supporting the rules lays the FIA open to other issues. Either strike out the rule or do what is intended irrespective of who wears what in the car. If the issue is, to Hamilton, merely an annoyance, take the silly stud out, and get on with the racing."

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11. Posted by Max Noble, 07/05/2022 6:12

"The safest car is the one that never gets built… following that one bolted to the ground in a museum that never moves under it’s own power… As soon as anything from a skateboard upward to a F1 car is moving under human control it will end in tears at some point.

Lewis accepts that. The correct question is “To what extent does jewellery expose third parties, i.e. the non-jewellery wearers, to potential harm at a track during an event?”

I’m not aware of track Marshalls around the World suddenly complaining about high speed nose rings - or did I miss the memo (meme…?) on that one?

Lewis has made it clear he is willing to sign a waiver and continue “…at his own risk…” That’s a perfect reasoned position. We can only hope the FIA reaches that conclusion shortly…

Bling-Gate… here in our own F1… who’d have thunk it…?

Cracking Roast Gromit! :-)"

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12. Posted by f1khun, 07/05/2022 1:02

"I believe that rules, when adapted by the FIA, must be followed by al without exemption. Nobody is above the law. Lewis has gotten an extension in this case, which is fine - but post-Spain, I hope that he will simply comply. F1 and safety MUST go hand-in-hand - without exception. I am sure that Lewis understands this and eventually will comply. "

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Hamilton given two-race exemption over jewellery rule

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