Lewis Hamilton avoids ban by ditching his nose stud in F1 jewellery row… and Mercedes ace then roars back into contention at the British Grand Prix – but police fear protestors could invade Silverstone track on race day

• Lewis Hamilton has appeared to back down to the FIA by removing his nose stud
• The seven-time world champion was threatened with a ban if he had kept it in 
• Hamilton set the second fastest time in Friday practice at the British Grand Prix 

Whatever else the British Grand Prix may bring this weekend, it will contain Lewis Hamilton.

This much was unclear until a few minutes before 1pm on Friday, when his open visor revealed that the most famous nose stud in sporting history had vanished.

And, so, one of the many contentious issues which turned this week’s build-up to the Silverstone showpiece into a poisonous cesspit had been resolved, the seven-time world champion’s possible expulsion from competition in front of 142,000 fans ruled out in an instant.

Lewis Hamilton has removed his nose stud (left) after being threatened with British GP ban – with the Mercedes star backing down by the time of first practice (right) 

Hamilton had finally bowed to the FIA’s insistence that he remove the piercing, having softened his position earlier in the week after agreeing to meet the governing body’s president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a stickler for the regulation, next week. This one storm in a teacup has blown out after three months of wrangling and delays.

The resolution is especially good news for the patriotic throng at the old Northamptonshire airfield given the evidence of practice. 

Yes, Hamilton complained that his Mercedes was bouncing – it was, as were other cars – but he put himself second on the timing screens and right in the mix for what would be a record-extending ninth victory here.

The Brit arrived into the paddock on Friday morning still wearing his nose stud despite threats that he could be banned from taking part in the British Grand Prix if he continued to wear it

He was just 0.163sec behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. More cheer for British fans came in the shape of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was third fastest.

Champion Max Verstappen, who leads the standings by 46 points, was fourth best. He was booed by sections of the crowd. He is enemy No 1 in these parts.

The atmosphere this weekend has an edge to it as a result of last year when the Dutchman and Hamilton collided at Copse.

Add in how Verstappen controversially beat Hamilton to the title on the final day of the season, and the ingredients for conflict are well in place.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has maintained a strict view of jewellery in the cockpit

Hamilton until now had been defiant in his stance not to remove jewellery despite threats

So are Mercedes really back in contention? Well, let’s steady the buffs until we have seen the evidence of qualifying in unpredictable conditions on Saturday. The silky track suits their car, which is potentially helped by a raft of upgrades: to the front suspension, sidepod inlet, rear wing and floor body.

And don’t forget that there were periods in Montreal a fortnight ago when Hamilton was the quickest man out there.

‘It has been a good day and I am feeling pretty decent,’ said Hamilton. ‘It is bouncing through the corners. It is pretty harsh — not physically punishing but in the car and on the tyres, so we still have work to do. It feels like a small step forward.’

George Russell, who was eighth best in practice, is also a realistic contender. But so far as they can, Mercedes will be rooting for Hamilton, their £40million-a-year No 1.

Hamilton was given permission to wear jewellery during the Monaco Grand Prix until this weekend’s race in Silverstone, where the Mercedes driver has been forced remove his stud

The good home showing on track – after rain brought an early end to the first session – acted like a shaft of light at the end of a grubby week. At the centre of the stink lay the racist remarks uttered by Nelson Piquet, Brazil’s triple world champion, in which he used the n-word to describe Hamilton.

More video evidence emerged of the 69-year-old deploying homophobic language for good measure. Bernie Ecclestone, meanwhile, has spent the past 48 hours defending Vladimir Putin, his war criminal pal, having also made excuses for his one-time Brabham driver Piquet’s unedifying words. What a mess.

There was more incoming bad news. Police have warned that lives could be at risk this weekend after receiving ‘credible intelligence’ that protestors are planning to disrupt the event. Northamptonshire Police said the disruptors could ‘possibly invade the track on race day’.

The police added: ‘We want to appeal directly to this group of people. We strongly urge you not to put yourselves, the drivers, as well as the many marshals, volunteers and members of the public, at risk. Going on to a live racetrack is extremely dangerous. If you go ahead with this reckless plan you’re jeopardising lives.’ 

Hamilton set the second fastest time in Friday practice at the British Grand Prix

In 2003, serial pest Neil Horan invaded the track and Extinction Rebellion activists again penetrated it in 2020. It is the latter group who are believed to lie behind the latest threat. Who will win in what is forecast to be fine conditions? The form book says either the Ferraris or Red Bulls. 

But never forget that Hamilton has conjured some of the best performances of his life here, never more so than in the wet in 2008. He also crossed the line on three wheels and won, two years ago. He has 12 Silverstone podiums on his expansive c.v.

‘This is the best track,’ added Hamilton. ‘It is still hair-raising and epic to drive. The fans give me hope. Seeing them around here I am so appreciative of all the support.

‘We are going to work as hard as we can to give them a good result.’ We know what he’s thinking.

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