Vettel backs Hamilton in jewellery ban, Button disagrees

Sebastian Vettel says Lewis Hamilton is being “targeted” by F1’s jewellery ban but Jenson Button says it is there for a reason.

Earlier this year F1 race director Niels Wittich informed the drivers that the regulation banning drivers from racing while wearing jewellery would be upheld.

He gave them until Miami to confirm, and announced on Friday that as of this weekend’s race, both jewellery and underwear would form part of the official scrutineering.

Hamilton showed up in Friday’s driver press conference decked out in piercings, jewellery and even wore several watches while declaring that Mercedes have a “spare” on hand if he is banned from racing.

He later removed what piercings he could with the FIA agreeing to give him a two-race exemption on those, such as his nose ring, that can’t easily be removed.

Vettel says the seven-time World Champion is being “targeted” by the FIA over the ban.

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