The FIA are targeting Hamilton with regulation is the opinion of Sebastian Vettel, the Aston Martin driver. The German considers the ban on Formula 1 drivers wearing jewellery inside their cars to be primarily aimed at Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly expressed his displeasure with the rule, which has been in place in Formula One since 2005 and which race director Niels Wittich now requires drivers to observe, the regulator has turned a blind eye to the rule for years. Despite the ban, Hamilton was granted a special dispensation and will therefore be able to race with a pierced nose for two more Grands Prix (Miami and Barcelona). Sebastian Vettel shares the opinion of his Mercedes counterpart and even considers that the measure is specifically aimed at Lewis Hamilton.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about it. Probably, at this stage, it’s more of a personal matter and I feel that it’s particularly aimed at Lewis,” said the four-time world champion in Miami on Friday.

Besides the ban on wearing jewellery in the cars, FIA’s race director also reminded the drivers to wear flame retardant underwear and not synthetic underwear for obvious safety reasons. Sebastian Vettel, for his part, made a point of expressing his dissatisfaction with the directive by walking around the Miami paddock on Friday wearing a pair of shorts over his racing suit.

“We’re also talking about briefs, is that the most exciting thing we can talk about?” said the German,

“Obviously there is a safety concern, if you have jewellery and the car catches fire it would be unpleasant. But on the other hand, in a way, it’s part of personal freedom and if we’re old enough to make decisions outside the car, we should be old enough to make decisions inside.”