Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton cleared to race in Bahrain after clashing with FIA over nose stud

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Formula One great Lewis Hamilton was cleared to race in the first practice session of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday after having his jewelry inspected.

Hamilton clashed with governing body FIA last year over the wearing of jewelry, and was cleared at the Singapore GP in October for wearing a nose stud.

Hamilton explained to stewards at the time that he had to keep the stud in because of complications linked to a blood blister on his nose, which occurred because he kept having to take the stud out for races.

F1 DRIVERS PREVENTED FROM MAKING POLITICAL STATEMENTS WITHOUT APPROVAL

The FIA did not mention his nose stud in its statement Friday, but said in its verdict that the seven-time F1 champion had received a medical exemption relating to "concerns about disfigurement."

The stewards considered a breach of Article 5 of the FIA's sporting code — the wearing of jewelry — and took no further action against Hamilton after hearing from a Mercedes team representative and receiving a medical report requesting an exemption.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain arrives for an interview in Sakhir, Bahrain, on March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

"The Stewards consulted the FIA Medical Delegate, who viewed the medical report, examined the driver and concurred with the opinion therein," the FIA statement said. "We have determined to take no further action as there are concerns about disfigurement with frequent attempts at removal of the device."

Last May, Hamilton protested an FIA crackdown on jewelry — such as body piercings — by showing up at the Miami GP wearing every piece of jewelry he could fit on his body and