Formula One bosses have backed down
from a threat to discipline Lewis
Hamilton over a nose stud he intends to
wear at the Monaco Grand Prix this
weekend.
The FIA, which governs the sport,
had said at the Miami Grand Prix
earlier this month that Hamilton would
be punished — probably with a fine —
if he continued to wear any jewelleryF1 chiefs in climbdown over Hamilton’s nose stud
Rebecca Clancy
Motor Racing Correspondent, Monte Carlowhile driving. Officials plan to issue the
ban to all drivers on safety grounds.
However, the drivers met the presi-
dent of the FIA medical commission at
the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona
last weekend, and it was decided that
further work was needed to determine
whether removing all types of jewellery
is necessary. Talks are continuing.
Niels Wittich, one of the race direct-
ors, said before last month’s Australian
Grand Prix that he would be enforcing
a longstanding rule that jewellery is not
permitted within the cockpit.Hamilton, the seven-times world
champion, wears a lot of jewellery and
was therefore considered to be the most
significant target of the clampdown. In
Miami he arrived at a press conference
wearing three watches, eight rings, four
necklaces, one bracelet and his usual
nose and ear piercings.
Numerous conversations have
followed since then between the new
FIA president Mohammed ben Sulay-
em and Hamilton’s team, Mercedes,
and it was agreed that the 37-year-old
would remove his earrings. His nosestud, which appears to be a small
diamond, is not so easy to remove, with
piercings of that kind often welded on
one side to stop them falling out.
Asked if he had looked into getting it
removed, and if he was happy with the
direction of the conversations,
Hamilton made it clear that he wanted
to move on from the subject.
“Honestly, I feel there’s way too much
time and energy being given to this,” he
said. “I’ve said everything I feel I need
to say. I’ve taken the studs out every
Continued on page 5Hamilton will be allowed to wear his
nose stud at the Monaco Grand PrixSp or t
SATURDAY MAY 28 2022Forest: our
time is now
Glorious past provides the
inspiration in play-off finalPAGES 8-9Brendon McCullum takes over as England’s red-ball coach with a
refreshingly honest attitude - and a pledge to become world No 1HIRING
ME IS A
BIG RISK
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GETY
Brendon McCullum has admitted
that his appointment as the
England Test head coach is a “big
risk”.
The 40-year-old, who has never
coached a first-class or
international side before but
captained New Zealand in 31 of his
101 Tests, said that his style would
be more managerial and less
focused on improving the players’
techniques.
McCullum, speaking to the
media for the first time after
arriving in the country on
Thursday, said: “It will take me a
little while to become completely
adjusted to some of the methods
and ways over here, and might
take some time for guys to adjust
to me as well. But I’m looking
forward to it. It’s a big risk taken
by everyone but you don’t get
anywhere unless you’re prepared
to take a couple of risks in life.”
McCullum, who has just finished
coaching the Kolkata Knight
Riders in the Indian Premier
League, has coached only
limited-overs teams since retiring
as a player in 2019.
“I don’t coach technically,” he
said. “I understand technique but
for me it’s more about tactics and
Continued on page 2Elizabeth AmmonMcCullum, at
Lord’s, speaks
to the media
for the first
time yesterday