Will F1 ban on bling kick Lewis Hamilton out after he complained about being singled out?

Where will the feud over Lewis Hamilton’s jewels end? Well, possibly with his retirement from Formula One.

Fanciful as it sounds, that doomsday scenario was brought a step closer when the FIA’s dispute over the seven-time world champion’s trappings became a question of “Who runs Formula One?”

On the one hand, new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem is insisting that Hamilton’s remaining nose stud must be removed for safety reasons in time for the Monaco Grand Prix on May 29, having given him three weeks to have the piercing surgically removed.

Lewis Hamilton fought F1’s jewelery ban by vowing he would never remove a nose ring

On the other hand, the sport’s only major star believes he is being singled out unfairly and on Saturday night vowed never to take off the offending stud.

He cited the acceptance of wedding rings by the FIA. If they’re allowed, why not your choice of trinket?

If Hamilton refuses to submit to the edict, he faces a £42,000 fine in Monaco. He could be increased to £215,000 for future offences. Chicken feed for a man who earns £40m a year, but would also rack up points on his racing licence.

Hamilton believes he is being singled out unfairly, but if he refuses, he faces heavy fines.

The superstar showed up to a press conference in Miami decked out in watches and necklaces

Twelve in a calendar year would result in a ban.

However, those are the technicalities. The real problem would be a sense of persecution based on his frequent reference to being the only black driver on the grid.

Ben Sulayem, by the way, is a Ramadan-keeping Emirati based in Dubai and the only non-European white man ever appointed to the highest post in global motorsport governance.

As Hamilton said in Monaco 11 years ago when he felt mistreated by the stewards: “Maybe it’s because I’m black, that’s what Ali G says.”

FIA chief Mohammed ben Sulayem gave Hamilton three weeks to have his piercing removed.

So what chance does Hamilton, 37 and in the twilight of his career, have of being so unhappy about the perceived treatment that it makes this the casus belli to resign over, possibly mid-season and especially if his Mercedes car still late?

He would have struck a blow in his crusade for ‘diversity’ and become a martyr for that cause.

Also, as we have alluded to, he would select a convenient exit from his current two-year contract that does not offer him an immediate prospect of claiming the eighth world title he craves to gild his legacy.

There is time to come to a resolution, but at this point it is hard to see how. It’s a shame this is the hill that either party would choose to die on.