Before the new Formula 1 race in Miami (9.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker and on Sky), Mercedes showed increasing form.

With a new rear wing, George Russell surprisingly turned the fastest lap in 1:29.938 minutes in free practice on the 5.412 km long track, his teammate and record champion Lewis Hamilton underpinned the good impression of the Silver Arrows with fourth place (+0.241).

World championship leader Charles Leclerc (+0.106) finished second, while world champion Max Verstappen struggled with technical problems and failed to complete a lap in the second session.

"I can't steer at all, sorry, the steering is stuck," the Dutchman radioed to his Red Bull box.

"A horrible day," said team boss Christian Horner.

Russell and Hamilton did not want to overstate the result.

"Things are going well so far, but we're not taking off," Russell said.

And Hamilton said: "Training is training." He does not believe that the competition has "shown their true pace".

Former world champion Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim) in the Aston Martin and Haas driver Mick Schumacher still had difficulties with the new route around the Hard Rock Stadium.

Vettel was 15th, just under a second and a half behind, with Schumacher one place behind (+1.649).

In the sunny US state of Florida, however, hardly anyone talked about sports.

The focus was on a jewelry debate – and Hamilton's counterattack against mocking comments from the Red Bull camp.

In both, the seven-time world champion from Great Britain was the main protagonist.

"It's a step backwards for our sport.

It's such a small thing, completely unnecessary, ”said Lewis Hamilton about the tightened action by the rulers against wearing jewelry and private underwear in the cockpit.

He therefore also turned to the head of the world association, Mohammed bin Sulayem.

Appearing at the official press conference, the 37-year-old wore three watches, multiple rings on his hands, an array of necklaces and earrings (pictured below).

After lengthy discussions, the 37-year-old finally gave in and removed almost all of the jewelry.

The German race director Niels Wittich had previously informed the teams that in future they would also have to certify in official documents that their drivers would not wear jewelry or private underwear in the car.

Wittich also announced spot checks.

"If they stop me, then so be it.

We have a backup driver," Hamilton said.

He could not easily take off at least two of his jewelry.

"They're made of platinum, so they're not magnetic.

They have never been a safety problem," said the Briton.

Formula 1 has “more important things to do” than dealing with this topic.

"It's very, very stupid," Hamilton said.

Vettel at least in focus off the track

Sebastian Vettel showed solidarity with the Mercedes star and showed disobedience.

“This is our personal freedom.

We are old enough to make our own decisions.

Then we should be able to do that in the car as well,” said the 34-year-old.

Before the first practice laps, the Hessian also ran through the pit lane with gray boxer shorts pulled over his racing suit.