Formula One stars Hamilton, Vettel protest new rules against body piercings, jewellery

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton protested the FIA's crackdown on body piercings Friday by showing up at the Miami Grand Prix wearing every piece of jewellery he could fit on his body and suggesting he was willing to sit out races over the issue.

Hamilton arrived in the paddock wearing an all-denim outfit with several open buttons on his long-sleeved shirt that showed at least four stacked necklaces. Hamilton was later seen wearing at least three watches and with four rings on each hand. He also has earrings and a nose ring.

"I couldn't get any more jewellery on today," he said.

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said he thought FIA was being petty and wondered if the rule was aimed at Hamilton, the 37-year-old Mercedes driver from Britain. Vettel also appeared to take exception to the underwear policing and walked through the paddock with a pair of briefs on over his firesuit.

"I think it is a bit unnecessary to blow this topic up and probably at this stage is more of a personal thing, I feel a particular way targeted to Lewis," Vettel said. "In a way, there's a concern for safety, obviously if you have stuff and the car does catch fire. To some degrees, there is personal freedom and we are old enough to make our own choices."

Vettel wearing underwear over his race suit in protest of the FIA’s new clothing regulations