Rebellious as ever, Lewis Hamilton couldn’t care less about the FIA’s mundane rules. Once upon a time, it was the jewelry ban- a battle Hamilton won. Then it was the underwear regulations that Sebastian Vettel rather courageously protested. Now, it looks like he’s passed on his learnings to his successor Charles Leclerc as both Hamilton and the Ferrari star have risen up against the latest bump placed by the FIA.
At the beginning of the season, the drivers were given a letter prohibiting bikes from the usual track walks during the weekend. Drivers usually hopped on either cycles or electric scooters to ease the toil of walking around the tracks.
These walks are an important revision for the drivers. Before attacking the tracks at high speeds, noting down braking points and turns, and strategizing their weekends during track walks were important.
Now, things change. With the bikes and scooters on the track, the area had become increasingly hectic. Thus, the FIA banned any two-wheelers from the track during the designated time slot; forcing drivers to do what they want by strictly walking.
However, after the month-long break, inhibitions are out the window. Hamilton stepped out on his iconic scooty while Leclerc and his team brought out their cycles. Defiant, bold, courageous- a stand against another seemingly unnecessary line in lengthy rule book thumped on their heads.
Fans cheer on Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc
Looking at their favourite drivers flipping off the authorities sure brought a smile on many faces. Fans were quick to take to Twitter to laugh along with their drivers. Arm in arm with their move, Twitter was soon flooded with support for Leclerc and Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton fans were ready for the FIA’s reaction. As a fan hilariously noted, Lewis is just “not going to let the FIA live in peace.”
fia documents tomorrow:
– Mercedes have not confirmed in the submitted self-scrutineering sheet that Lewis Hamilton is complying with the requirement to not wear any jewellery
– Lewis Hamilton has been summoned to the stewards for driving a scooter on track pic.twitter.com/xrm1afvUjU— no⁴⁴ 🏳️🌈 (@worldchamp44) April 27, 2023
Man's not gonna let the FIA live in piece.
— Bhenchodas Chanchad (@shaarl_eclair) April 27, 2023
just waiting for the FIA to announce they’re investigating Lewis for this 😂 pic.twitter.com/6mOJ4lR9k3
— Marina (@xxoMarina) April 27, 2023
Fans even noticed a bit of Sebastian Vettel‘s antics had rubbed off on Charles Leclerc who was all smiles with his team on the bike.
he's getting a 🤏🏼 of seb in him??🥺
— 𝓓🧸||☝🏼 (@itsmyyyname) April 27, 2023
The pleasant surprise of this new Leclerc was welcomed by fans. The common emotion? “Love that for him!”
and he wasn't lying https://t.co/8QZtS3nB1w pic.twitter.com/MzmxvM247q
— clara (@leclercsletters) April 27, 2023
https://twitter.com/charleslc1610/status/1651643322132209680?s=20
https://twitter.com/dejanaacm/status/1651654971887067146?s=20
Jokes aside, its to be seen if the FIA take these acts of defiance seriously. Will there be a quick conversation with the drivers? Maybe. However, as it goes, the bike ban seems to be a rather silly regulation to everyone in the F1 community. Tiring out drivers by forcing them to walk around circuits when it could be done much more easily seems absurd, to say the least.
