Hamilton and Verstappen joke about F1 jewellery clampdown

In what was a considerably cry from the tensions of their titanic F1 title struggle very last season, Hamilton and Verstappen enjoyed an amusing gentle-hearted moment throughout the pre-party press conferences forward of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. 

In advance of F1’s return to Melbourne, the event’s race director Niels Wittich reminded the discipline of a extended-standing rule that bans motorists from carrying any variety of jewelry when driving their cars. 

The full wording of the rule, which forms Post 5 of the 3rd chapter of Appendix L from the governing body’s Global Sporting Code, states: “The donning of jewelry in the type of entire body piercing or metallic neck chains is prohibited throughout the competitiveness and may perhaps therefore be checked in advance of the start off.”

Asked about the FIA’s reminder, Hamilton, who is routinely found wearing jewelry in the F1 paddock, joked: “Well I’ve bought particular piercings that I truly just cannot take out, that not lots of people today know of… Nah I’m kidding! 

“It’s been the rule endlessly, due to the fact I’ve been listed here it’s been the rule, so very little new. I’m just likely to appear with much more jewelry future week.” 

Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas quipped that the “stewards can acquire it off”. 

Questioned the same query, Verstappen replied deadpan: “I would be also hefty if I wore jewelry, so it’s not attainable.”

A smiling Hamilton responded: “I know you have a nipple piercing male, appear on…” just before Verstappen laughed and mentioned “you want to see it again?!”

A better weekend for Mercedes in Melbourne? 

Mercedes has endured a difficult commence to the year and is struggling to get on best of a porpoising concern that has so considerably hampered the performance of its W13 car. 

The German producer has not brought any new elements to this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix but is envisioned to introduce updates in a phased manner throughout the future couple races in a bid to tackle the dilemma. 

Hamilton, who is something of a specialist about the Albert Park Circuit with eight pole positions to his identify, finished up seventh-speediest in FP1, 1.2 seconds off the pace established by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. 

“I’m psyched to get in the car or truck, in a natural way I’ve been buzzing and super keen this early morning just to get in the motor vehicle and check out this new track,” Hamilton reported prior to the session. 

“I’m hoping that it feels better below this weekend. Ultimately we’ve not brought any upgrades, the auto is the very same auto as the past race but with just about every race we make smaller improvements. 

“So I hope it feels a bit improved right here. In addition we have the 4 DRS zones, I’m just hoping we can race more difficult right here.” 

Speaking in advance of the function, staff principal Toto Wolff conceded Mercedes would have to make the most of its current deal until eventually a remedy to the team’s problems can be uncovered. 

“At the minute, our observe performance is not meeting our very own expectations, but everybody at Brackley and Brixworth is focused on being familiar with the troubles and locating the right options,” Wolff said. 

“There won’t be a magic take care of for the up coming race weekend, but we are pushing to steadily convey gains above the upcoming races, to hopefully shift us closer to the front of the pack.

“Until finally then, we have to have to maximise every single opportunity and make the most of the offer we have.”