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The four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel protested against the new FIA regulations about jewellery and underpants. The German wore his underpants over his race suit as a sign of protest.
The Race director Niels Wittich had penned the guidelines for Sunday’s race that driver's jewellery and underwear should be checked to ensure they comply with the FIA’s fire-proof safety standards.
The new guidelines said, “Metallic objects, such as jewellery, in contact with the skin, can reduce heat transmission protection and thus may increase the risk of burn injuries in the event of a fire.” As reported by Motorsport.com, Wittich had deemed Vettel’s actions funny and was quoted saying. "It was just a piss-take. I don't care, but it's just funny that we keep talking about it."
I feel particularly in a way targeted to Lewis: Vettel
Vettel also spoke in support of one of his rivals Lewis Hamilton, who has been vocal about these rules. He said, “I think it is a bit unnecessary to blow this topic up. Probably at this stage, it's more of a personal thing and I feel particularly in a way targeted to Lewis.”
“We spoke about underpants as well. Is that the most exciting thing we can talk about? To some degree, it's personal freedom. We are old enough to make our choices outside the car, we should be old enough to make choices also inside the car.”
I can't remove at least two of them: Hamilton
Hamilton talked about how the regulations are unnecessary and he wouldn’t mind missing the entire race as Mercedes have a replacement driver. "If they stop me (racing) then so be it. We've got a spare driver," he said. "There's lots to do in the city anyway so I'll be good either way."
While addressing the jewellery he said, “I can't remove at least two of them. One I can't really explain where it is. But what I can say is it's platinum that I have, so it's non-magnetic, it's never been a safety issue in the past. I've had in 16 years so many MRI scans and not had to take out the platinum.”
