Andreas Seidl calls out Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel: “If you don’t want to take off your jewelry or put on your fireproof underwear, then you’re not allowed to race”
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The 2022 Formula 1 season has a long list of changes made to the season. The 18 inch tyres, the aerodynamics of the cars and the budget cost cap are some of the items on this list. Another major addition to the list is the alteration in the personnel who run each race. Michael Masi the 2021 race director was replaced by the duo of Niels Wittich and Eduardo Frietas. The two men alternatively act as the race director for Formula 1 in the 2022 season.
The new faces filling in the position of the race director have been blunt with the drivers at each race weekend. Both, Wittich and Frietas have been straightforward about the rules and regulations of the sport. The recent scrutiny by the pair revolves around the rule about drivers not allowed to wear jewellery inside the car and only permitted to race wearing a fire-proof underwear. Former Formula 1 champions, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel showed their disapproval against the rule by their actions prior to the Miami Grand Prix.
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Andreas Seidl believes that no one is bigger than the rules, be it Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel
Lewis Hamilton while attending the press conference ahead of the Miami GP, wore excessive jewellery to show his detest against the rule. The driver stood his ground by saying that he would sit out of a race if his jewellery is a concern. On the other hand, Sebastian Vettel wore his under pants over his racing suit in the paddock to make his point. The German mocked the race director notes by his actions.
Mclaren team principal, Andreas Seidl opined on these actions by saying, ”These are rules that have existed for years and in other categories are not under discussion at all. Everyone abides by them. If you don’t want to take off your jewelry or put on your fireproof underwear, then you’re not allowed to race. It can be as simple as that.”
The race director, Niels Wittich has reportedly alloted Lewis Hamilton a time of two race weekend to get rid of all his jewellery. While, the seven time world champion stands firm on his decision and has said he will not remove it for the rest of the season. With 18 rounds yet to unfold in the season, we hope a common ground is reached between the two parties and the sport can allocate its time to fight the bigger issues.
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Anish Arora
(130 Articles Published)