Formula 1 have clamped down on the use of incorrect underwear, as well as body piercings, leaving drivers and team principals rather amused.
F1’s governing body, the FIA, underwent a number of key changes ahead of the 2022 season, with a new president and alternating race directors.
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The sport’s new era of aerodynamic regulations has shaken things up on track, but there’s also been plenty to cover within the sporting regulations.
Loose ends have been tidied up in order to avoid the controversy that engulfed last season’s finale, while drivers have also had to be reminded about their dress code.
Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, director Niels Wittich made it clear to the grid that wearing non-fire retardant underwear isn’t allowed.
The sport’s leaders are keen to avoid any nasty mistakes, with underwear homologated to the FIA’s standards, along with gloves, balaclavas, socks and shoes.
But underwear appears to have provoked the most laughter, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner joking about Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s drawers.
“I certainly won’t be checking our drivers’ underwear,” Horner said.
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“For compliance, I see that as a team manager role, although I’m reliably informed our drivers go commando, hopefully, it won’t be an issue for them.
“I’ve yet to meet the race director. Obviously, they’re doing the best job they can with the rules they have. I understand it was an entertaining drivers’ briefing yesterday.
“In the interests of weight-saving, whether you’re losing jewellery or underwear at the moment is quite helpful for us.”
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly was more open about the new rules.
In response to the FIA’s apparent newfound desire to clamp down on drivers’ undergarments, the Frenchman said: “I won’t comment on that.
“If they want to check my arse, feel free, I’ve got nothing to hide. My cock, everything. If that makes them happy, feel free.”
Before the underwear episode, drivers had also been told that body piercings aren’t allowed whilst in the cockpit.
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Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has been sporting a nose stud in recent years, which led to an amusing exchange between himself and title rival Verstappen.
“Well I’ve got certain piercings that I really just can’t take out, that not many people know of… Nah I’m kidding!” Hamilton joked.
“It’s been the rule forever, since I’ve been here it’s been the rule, so nothing new. I’m just going to come with more jewellery next week.”
World champion Verstappen was also asked about the report, saying: “I would be too heavy if I wore jewellery, so it’s not possible.”
Which prompted a reply from Hamilton: “I know you have a nipple piercing man, come on.”
“You want to see it again?” Verstappen quipped straight back.
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Joking aside, Hamilton seemed far from impressed about the FIA’s new clamp down and also complained about the briefing which lasted several hours.
“It was the longest drivers’ briefing of my life,” said the Mercedes driver.
“I’ve been racing a long time and they’ve never done such a long drivers’ briefing.
“Also, nobody in the drivers’ briefing was wearing masks. Some of the drivers were, but most of the FIA weren’t, which was for me uncomfortable.
“And then I don’t really understand the small things they are picking up, like the underwear. Are we really talking about that sort of thing? But we move on.”
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Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport
