F1 jewelry ban is 'for good reasons' says Wurz

“It’s a rule for good reasons. » Alexander Wurz, president of the pilots' association (GPDA), agrees with FIA on jewelry ban in Formula 1. The controversy, which occurred during the Australian Grand Prix, divided certain drivers. Wurz, who had not yet spoken on the subject, finally agreed with the race directors.

“The jewelry affair” was widely criticized, notably by Lewis Hamilton, a fan of gems of all kinds. In Miami, the seven-time world champion played provocation, wearing three watches, dozens of rings and necklaces and refusing to comply with the notice from the race director. In Florida, he declared: “I have been evolving for 16 years F1, and I have been wearing jewelry for 16 years. When I fly, I only have my nose piercing and my ear jewelry, which I can't even take off. I find it pointless to go into this area. »

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Alexander Wurz believes that this ban on jewelry is a good thing for the safety of pilots. He particularly remembers the experience of Danish pilot Kris Nissen, victim of a terrible incident at Fuji in 1988. “For him, the most painful thing after the fire was the elastic of his pants which was burned into his skin. He said he had experienced years of agony and pain. And it educated me. Today, I say that I would not want to experience these consequences (..) It's the same for jewelry. »

The former Austrian driver, however, regrets the FIA's communication on this ban. “I probably would have liked a slightly different approach to how to deliver the message. I don't want to end up like in football where there is more verbal violence... You have to work together. This is a style that I would have preferred in this case. »

The president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, asked Hamilton “to send the right message” to young pilots by submitting to the directive. The FIA ​​ordered the pilot Mercedes to no longer drive with jewelry before the Monaco Grand Prix (May 27-29). An order that the British champion is refusing for the moment.