Wolff expects ‘good resolution’ to Hamilton jewellery drama

Henry Valantine
Lewis Hamilton during the media rounds. Miami May 2022.

Lewis Hamilton speaks while wearing plenty of jewellery in his interviews. Miami May 2022.

Toto Wolff has predicted there will be a “good resolution” between Lewis Hamilton and the FIA over the ongoing driver jewellery arguments in the sport.

The FIA has decided to enforce its rules surrounding drivers not being allowed to wear items of jewellery while driving more strictly, including watches, wedding rings and earrings.

Hamilton said when news of this ban was first announced that he would have to get his ear “chopped off” to be able to comply with the regulations, as some of his jewellery is “literally welded in” to his right ear.

The seven-time World Champion also made a point of wearing as much jewellery as possible while doing the media rounds on Friday, wearing three watches, multiple necklaces and rings while being interviewed ahead of the weekend.

Hamilton has been given a two-race exemption from the rules being enforced on him, with a predicted fine of up to €250,000 [£213,500] for drivers found to be breaching these regulations.

Mercedes team boss Wolff revealed that Hamilton has been in conversation with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem around the crackdown on the issue, which the 37-year-old described as an “unnecessary spat” between the drivers.

“I think what was needed was a dialogue between Lewis and Mohammed,” Wolff told reporters in Miami, quoted by GPFans.

“It is clear that the regulations are here to protect the drivers but on the other side, we need to keep the possibility of diversity and the means of expressing yourself.

“We know that this is important for Lewis so yesterday, without going into detail where the piercings stayed or did not, I’m sure they will come to a good resolution.”

 

Sebastian Vettel backed the Mercedes driver in his current circumstances, with the four-time World Champion believing that Hamilton has been “targeted” by the FIA for his choices in that regard, while 2009 champ Jenson Button took the opposite view and agreed the FIA needs to enforce its own rules.

Drivers must now also wear underwear that matches official FIA regulations surrounding fire-proofing, and Vettel seemingly mocked the ruling on Friday by wearing a set of underwear outside his race suit before first practice got underway.