Judgement day for FIA as Lewis Hamilton risks ban in ongoing stand-off

Formula One's governing body the FIA face a huge decision ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, as the ongoing spat with Lewis Hamilton comes to a head.

The FIA have clamped down on regulations this season, banning F1 drivers from wearing jewellery in the cockpit, with an exception for wedding rings, and declaring that drivers cannot wear their own underwear under their race suits.

That sparked a spat with Hamilton, who refused to adhere to the regulations ahead of a clamp-down at the Miami Grand Prix and was granted a two-race exemption for the rules due to the difficulty in removing some of his piercings.

Hamilton's grace period expired following last weekend's event in Barcelona, meaning it's crunch time heading into Monaco and the FIA could have their resolve tested.

The British driver described the clamp down on rules as 'very silly' and issued a very public show of defiance ahead of the race weekend in Miami, turning up to the press conference clad in an array of jewellery.

In Spain, Hamilton provided an update and said he's yet to hear anything more from the FIA, saying: "I haven't had any discussions with anybody since the last time I spoke on Sunday at the last race. So what I'm aware of is that those who are married are allowed to wear their wedding ring."

That may hint that the FIA has backed down, which would raise significant questions regarding their authority over drivers, but it could be that nothing was said as, in their eyes, nothing had changed with Hamilton having the final race of his grace period.

All eyes are therefore on Monaco and how strict the FIA will be regarding their controversial stance, with the possibility that Hamilton could be banned from racing altogether unless he adheres to the rules that were put in place.

Monte Carlo would be the perfect setting for the FIA to make a statement in the eyes of the world as it's the crown jewel of the F1 calendar and blocking the seven-time world champion from racing would show they mean business.

Hamilton will likely face questions about the jewellery ban in Friday's pre-race press conferences, with the British driver scheduled to appear in the first batch of drivers in the sessions alongside the likes of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo.

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