Niels Wittich: Last News

Motorsport Images1. Ferrari still hasn’t improved in one key area (AK)While Carlos Sainz scored a popular victory – he was applauded into the post-race press conference by the assembled journalists, where he spoke as eloquently and thoughtfully as ever – Ferrari’s triumph came with a cloud darker than the ones that had sprinkled Silverstone with rain 20 minutes before the first start. This was down to the team orders saga in which the Scuderia found itself entangled once Verstappen had dropped out of contention.

Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has slammed the FIA and accused this season's race directors as 'incompetent' following a penalty issued in Miami. The Alpine driver was given a five-second time penalty at the end of the race for gaining an advantage off the track, which dropped him out of the top-ten and cost him a points finish.Alonso has been left furious with the incident and has not held back with his comments, which are only a small part of F1's ongoing frustration with the FIA. Alonso told the BBC: "We believe it was very unfair and incompetence from the stewards.

Formula One chiefs regarding the strict rules regarding wearing jewellery in the cockpit risks getting 'nasty' and may see the Mercedes driver miss the Monaco Grand Prix, Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz has said.New race director Niels Wittich is applying regulations around jewellery extremely strictly and issued a note to teams about the rules on the Thursday ahead of the Miami Grand Prix - something that Hamilton criticised in his pre-race comments.In a clear message to the governing body, Hamilton attended the pre-race press conference covered in bling, including three watches, and hinted that he'd be prepared to miss the race - though he did adhere to regulations and remove his earrings. Removal of two more piercings, however, were more complicated and Hamilton was granted a two-race exemption period preventing him from receiving punishment but the British driver has made it clear he wants exemptions for the entirety of the season.That puts Hamilton and the FIA on a collision course for the Monaco Grand Prix at the end of the month, where the driver's current exemption period expires, and could even put his participation in Monte Carlo in doubt.“He’s taken his earrings out but he can’t take out his nose [stud] and we thought he was going to have minor surgery to take out the nose [stud]," Kravitz said on his Ted's Notebook programme on Sky Sports.

Lewis Hamilton has suggested that that he may have a very intimate piercing underneath his racing gear.The Mercedes racer, 37, made the comments after becoming embroiled in a row over his jewellery ahead of the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.The racing star hinted that he may have a piercing underneath his racing gear in a particularly sensitive area.Hamilton made the remarks after threatening to pull out of the Miami Grand Prix following their jewellery ban.He initially said he would withdraw from the race if he was made to remove his earrings and studs, on the grounds of safety.However, he eventually agreed to remove all but two.Hamilton kept in a nose stud which can only be removed mechanically and hinted at where the other is, suggesting it may be in a hidden, intimate area.He said: "One, I can't really explain where it is."But what I can say is it's platinum, so it's not magnetic."It's never been a safety issue in the past," he said to the FIA in Friday’s press conference.New FIA race director Niels Wittich reminded drivers ahead of the race about the governing body’s rules on accessories.FIA rules stated: “The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start.”They also claimed that the jewellery reduced levels of protection given by the drivers' flameproof clothing and increased their risk of burn injuries.Hamilton is known for expressing his opinions about F1 and has previously hit out at the FIA over other issues.The Mercedes ace spoke out against a decision by the governing body to outlaw engine qualifying modes in 2020.Banning the powerful engine settings, which are used by drivers in qualifying, was intended to

Lewis Hamilton caused a stir today in a hot pink outfit while attending the Miami Grand Prix.The star, 37, was snapped in the brightly-coloured ensemble as he made his way into the paddock ahead of the first running of the race.Appearing at the racing event, the star caused a stir in a neon pink oversized t-shirt and matching baggy trousers and trainers.He finished the look with a square pair of purple sunglasses.A large watch could be seen on Hamilton's wrist while he wore a large chain around his neck.It comes as the star became embroiled in a row over his jewellery ahead of the inaugural Miami Grand Prix today.New FIA race director Niels Wittich reminded drivers ahead of the race about the governing body’s rules on accessories., saying: "The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start.”Hamilton, who regularly sports jewellery, branded the renewed focus on the issue “almost a step backwards”.The British Mercedes driver, who mostly wears his jewellery out of the car, said that during racing he only wears “earrings and nose ring, which I can't remove”.He removed some of his jewellery in the car for the Miami GP and has been given a two-race exemption for pieces that are more difficult to take out.

Lewis Hamilton prepared to miss this weekend's action as his row with the FIA rumbles on.Seven-time world champion Hamilton has hit out at the FIA's push to ban jewellery, dubbing it an 'unnecessary spat' as he took a swipe at the F1 organisers in Friday's media sessions.The Mercedes ace made his feelings towards the ban clear without uttering a word after turning up decked out in an array of jewellery, including three watches set to three different time zones, eight rings, four necklaces and two earrings for the press conference - with it likely he was also wearing his nose stud underneath his mask.Race director Niels Wittich repeated his desire on Thursday to get tough on drivers who do not comply with the FIA's regulations regarding jewellery and piercings, sending a letter to teams ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend.It read: “The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start," - with detail on the reasons why, saying it could get snagged, reduce the effectiveness of flame-resistant clothing and could get dislodged in an accident.Hamilton doesn't appear to have any intention to comply though and gave a firm verdict when asked about the regulations on Friday, saying: “I couldn’t get any more jewellery on today, but anyway, I feel like it’s almost like a step backwards, if you think of the steps we’ve taken as the sport and the more important issues and causes that we need to be focused on.“I think we’ve made such great strides as a sport… we’re here in Miami… this is such a small thing, I’ve been in the sport for 16 years and I’ve been wearing jewellery for 16 years.