The underwear, the 'piercings' and Hamilton's threat: "If they stop me, we have a reserve driver"

• Miami GP Leclerc, the fastest in Free Practice 1

• World Cup 2022 Verstappen, 27 points from the lead

Since the dismissal of

in mid-February, the figure of the race director in F1 had returned to that background from which he should never have left.

During the first four races, nobody seemed to remember

or

, the men who will alternate in charge throughout the season.

Only the positive of both for covid after the Emilia Romagna GP somehow regained its prominence, given that the United States requires a negative test to cross its border.

However, the most commented during the last hours in the

of the Miami GP has not been the rapid recovery of the German and the Portuguese, but due to the modification of a regulation that could compromise, among others,

.

Late on Thursday, Wittich informed the 10 teams on the grid of a striking change to the scrutineering declaration form.

This document, where the teams declare that their cars and drivers meet all the requirements of the regulation, will present several novelties related to underwear and jewelry that can be used at the wheel.

According to the new appendix to the International Sporting Code (ISC), drivers will not be able to wear normal underwear below FIA homologated flame resistant garments.

"The use of non-flame retardant materials in contact with the skin, and in particular synthetic materials, can increase the risk of burn injuries," explains the note issued by Wittich.

"In the worst case, these materials can melt, which would make treatment difficult in the event of a burn," the text adds.

Therefore, normal underwear could only be used "for justified medical reasons".

The strictness of this measure obviously conflicts with the customs of pilots accustomed to the servitude of fashion.

object of scrutiny

Without going any further,

and

paraded Thursday with some abominable tops in papaya shades of McLaren, arm in arm with comedian

.

Meanwhile,

wore the latest collection of his personal brand, with beach inspirations, and Hamilton appeared with another of his unheard of clothes.

By then, the seven-time champion would already be meditating on the future of his

, a brand new object of scrutiny by F1.

According to the rigorous document signed by Wittich, these ornaments, as well as the "metal neck chains", can "difficult both medical interventions and subsequent diagnosis and treatment in the event of an accident."

Therefore, they must be removed during race weekends.

And that especially concerns Hamilton, who during the Australian GP already made his opinion clear.

"I can't even take the ones off my right ear, because they're literally welded to the skin.

I should cut them off or something, so I'm really afraid they'll have to stay."

Yesterday, the leader of Mercedes confirmed his position, spoke of a "step back" from F1 and was willing to sign a document that exempts the FIA ​​from any responsibility in the event of an accident.

He even threatened a plant in Miami.

"If they stop me, then nothing... We have a reserve driver and the team feels ready.

In any case, there are many things to do in this city », he launched.

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• Lewis Hamilton

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