“It doesn’t make sense”– FIA claims new jewellery rule is not there to target Lewis Hamilton

Tanish Chachra | 15/05/2022
"It doesn't make sense"– FIA claims new jewellery rule is not there to target Lewis Hamilton

The new jewellery ban has made the drivers stand against the governing body, with Lewis Hamilton at the forefront, but FIA isn’t targetting him.

In the new regulations updated by the FI, they banned the use of jewellery for drivers while competing in Grand Prix sessions. This decree brought a massive outrage from F1 drivers.

Many were against this situation owing to religious or different beliefs over their jewellery items. Lewis Hamilton, who usually have multiple set of jewellery, was also against it.

During the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton wore three watches, and multiple jewellery items to irk FIA. Many believed that the rule itself was a shot at Hamilton, and his lifestyle.

However, FIA President Ben Sulayem claims that the ban doesn’t specifically target Hamilton. Instead, it has been introduced only to ensure the safety of drivers.

“People say I did what Lewis and Toto wanted by removing Michael Masi,” said Ben Sulayem to DailyMail. “I mean, I do that for them and then I have it in for them – it doesn’t make sense.”

“Lewis saw a doctor in Miami to discuss the jewellery issue – and, guess what, he was a British doctor. I am simply saying the rules are there. It’s not for me to decide the merits of the science – it’s for the medics.”

“I would like Lewis to be a role model, an ambassador, to send the right message to all the young drivers to prevent a tragedy. We should be using him in that good cause,” he added.

Also read: Throwback to Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas racing their Mercedes boss around Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton would have to follow rules

Sulayem further added that people have questioned the existence of such a rule before. The FIA chief responds that doesn’t make the new order incorrect.

“I love jewellery, I absolutely love it,” conceded Ben Sulayem. “But in the car there can be no choice. People say they (the rules) haven’t been implemented before. Don’t ask me why not. People can ask the old regime why that is the case.”

When asked about Hamilton further continues to oppose the rule by wearing jewellery on the grid. Sulayem responds that the Briton will have to face the penalties then.

Also read: Mr. Bean’s hilarious reaction to Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa’s crash at the Indian GP in 2011

Post Edited By: Tanish Chachra
Ben Sulayem Lewis Hamilton Mercedes

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

Don’t miss these