Formula One’s new race director Niels Wittich faces a significant test of his authority on Friday over whether Lewis Hamilton can wear jewellery in the cockpit. The German has been put in an invidious position by his boss, FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, who is said to be ‘obsessed’ with the topic — seen by most observers as a thinly veiled dig at Hamilton. Ben Sulayem’s stance means Wittich either has to take the subject up directly with Hamilton at the drivers’ briefing this evening ahead of the Miami Grand Prix — or duck what may prove a massive fight.

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