Toto Wolff queries F1 boss Niels Wittich after Lewis Hamilton defied jewellery ban at Australian GP

Toto Wolff calls new F1 chief Niels Wittich’s jewellery ban a ‘misstep’ after Lewis Hamilton defied ruling at Australian GP… but Mercedes chief will take it ‘a thousand times over’ as he brands ex-race director Michael Masi a ‘liability’ to the sport

  • Formula One drivers have been given an order not to wear jewellery while racing
  • Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says director Niels Wittich didn’t need to take the step
  • Wolff rates newcomer Wittich and has savaged his predecessor, Michael Masi
  • Lewis Hamilton and teammate George Russell combine well together, Wolff says 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has told Formula One officials Lewis Hamilton should be allowed to wear jewellery.

Wolff’s intervention comes after race director Niels Wittich ordered drivers to remove watches, piercings and necklaces while competing, an instruction some construed as being aimed at Hamilton.

The Brit is the most extravagant wearer on the grid, with piercings in his nose and ears. He says he cannot take out his earrings because they are welded into his lobes.

The race director succeeded Michael Masi ahead of the 2022 season

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff (L) has given measured praise to new F1 race chief Niels Wittich (R)

Wittich — in only his third race in charge after replacing the sacked Michael Masi — failed to follow through on his warning with any sanction during last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, in which Hamilton defied the directive.

After seeing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc win to extend his world championship lead to 34 points, Wolff said: ‘Is this jewellery ban a battle he (Wittich) needs to have at this stage? How he has run the first few races has been respectful, solid and he hasn’t put a single foot wrong.

‘If his involvement on the issue of jewellery turns out to be his biggest unfortunate misstep I would take it 1,000 times over.’

The debate is an early test of Wittich’s authority. If he backs down in Imola next week he risks losing credibility.

Lewis Hamilton claimed it would be near-impossible for him to observe Wittich's jewellery ban

Lewis Hamilton claimed it would be near-impossible for him to observe Wittich’s jewellery ban

Wolff had strong words for Michael Masi, calling the former race director 'immune to feedback'

Wolff had strong words for Michael Masi, calling the former race director ‘immune to feedback’

On Tuesday, it will be four months since Max Verstappen beat Hamilton to the title. But Masi’s incorrect handling of the affair remains a sore topic for Wolff.

The Austrian’s mind turns to the days before the most contentious finale in F1 history.

He continued: ‘It is quite interesting because I had lunch with him [Masi] on the Wednesday before the race, and I said to him that “I really want to tell you, without patronising you, that you need to take criticism on board and develop from there. Lewis does it every day, but you are guy who always seems to know better”.

‘It wasn’t about influencing him but really giving my honest feedback that he shouldn’t block outside opinion as simply being wrong.

‘You hear from the drivers and how the drivers’ briefings were conducted [by Masi] and some of the guys said it was almost disrespectful how he treated some of them.

Hamilton and teammate George Russell are working well together, an impressed Wolff claimed

Hamilton and teammate George Russell are working well together, an impressed Wolff claimed

‘There is a promoter of one of the races in the Middle East who said he was so relieved he had gone because he got so much abuse from him.

‘He was just immune to any feedback and even today he has not properly reflected that he did something wrong.

‘He was a liability for the sport because everybody kept talking about Abu Dhabi and the race director, and the race director should not be somebody that people talk about, but someone who does the job and makes sure the race is run according to the regulations.’

Hamilton, who finished fourth in Melbourne, is expected to be at Mercedes’ Brackley factory between now and the next race in Imola on April 24 as the Silver Arrows play catch-up with rivals’ Ferrari and Red Bull.

Russell finished third at the Australian GP on Sunday to put him nine points ahead of Hamilton

Russell finished third at the Australian GP on Sunday to put him nine points ahead of Hamilton

Hamilton is fifth in the standings, 43 points behind runaway leader Charles Leclerc, and nine points adrift of new team-mate George Russell.

The 24-year-old has finished ahead of Hamilton at two of the opening three races and is second in the standings.

Hamilton and Russell appear to be bonding and went surfing together ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Asked if he was surprised how well the two Britons are getting on, Wolff replied: ‘Yes because they are both so competitive whilst still being able to work together.

‘The effort they are putting into showing respect – from the young kid to the best ever and from Lewis in appreciating the future talent that is in George – is impressive.’

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