F1 News: Lewis Hamilton And Max Verstappen Share A Joke As Rivalry Begins To Subside
F1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen shared a joke at the Australian Grand Prix press conference as the FIA reminds drivers of a rule that prohibits body piercings.
Niels Wittich, race director of the Australian Grand Prix, wanted to remind drivers that they weren’t allowed to wear jewelry while racing as he discussed the race at Melbourne’s newly upgraded and updated Albert Park Circuit. This came about due to drivers being seen with a selection of jewelry on them – Hamilton’s nose stud springs to mind – while sat in their cars.
Whilst Lewis was asleep traveling to Japan, Niki felt he want to try the jewelry#f1 #formula1 #dankeNiki #teamLH #LH44 #MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/5Gv1AwL0Gd
— Aston Martin F1 updates (@startonpole) February 9, 2021
The rule reads the following:
“The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start.”
If drivers are seen wearing jewelry, it’s likely that they’ll receive a fine, but the drivers were all laughs when they were asked about it during the press conference. Hamilton, Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda were available, with Hamilton taking the lead on the conversation:
“I’ve got certain piercings I really just can’t take out, that not many people know of… nah, I’m kidding,” he joked.
“It’s been the rule forever, since I’ve been here it’s been the rule, so nothing new. I’m just going to come with more jewellery next week.”
Bottas then laughed, adding that the “stewards can take it off”.
Verstappen added that it’s part of his weight-saving process to not wear any jewelry: “I would be too heavy if I wore jewellery, so it’s not possible.”
Hamilton responded, joking: “I know you have a nipple piercing man, come on.”
The Belgian driver responded laughing: “You want to see it again?”
I’ve missed this kind of friendly banter. Bring on the Aussie GP!
