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The latest buzz in and around the Formula 1 circuit has been all about the jewellery ban imposed by the FIA. While the decision by the world motorsport governing body has cited safety as the reason for the decision to ban jewellery, especially in case of a fire due to an accident, quite a few racers have shown their protest against the move.
However, as earlier reported by SportsTiger, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been granted a two-race exemption from the ban as some of the jewellery that he wears cannot be easily taken out.
And now prior to the Miami GP, the FIA has issued a clarification as to which even watches won't be allowed and will be treated as part of the curb imposed.
"In the interest of safety, watches will be considered as jewellery," a note by the F1 race director read as per Motorsport.
This particular report has claimed that no official document has specified the exact fine amount but the quoting sources in the same report states that while a first-time offence could be met with a fine of $52,000 fine, the repeated offender could be fined as much as $265,000 (over 2 crores in INR).
Earlier Hamilton had turned up at the press conference prior to the race wearing 3 watches, 8 rings, 4 necklaces and 2 earrings.
“I feel like it’s almost like a step backwards if you think of the steps we’ve taken as the sport and the more important issues and causes that we need to be focused on," he said at this conference.
"I think we’ve made such great strides as a sport… we’re here in Miami… this is such a small thing, I’ve been in the sport for 16 years and I’ve been wearing jewellery for 16 years," he outlined.