LEWIS HAMILTON has told Formula One bosses he is ready to defy a ban on jewellery.

F1’s new race director Niels Wittich has prioritised the clampdown ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

While the prohibition of jewellery has been in place since 2004, Wittich – the German who replaced Michael Masi – brought the rule to the fore in his pre-race notes before addressing the subject directly with Hamilton and his peers in last night’s drivers’ briefing.

Wittich says the law is there protect the driver by not hindering a speedy escape from their car.

But Hamilton, who has jewellery in his nose and ear, said: “I have got certain piercings that I can’t just take out and that not many people know of. I’m kidding.

“Since I’ve been here in F1, it’s been the rule, so there’s nothing new. I’m just going to come up with more jewellery next week.”

The record-breaking Briton has faced a trying start to the new season in his under-performing Mercedes machinery, and he is braced for further pain at Melbourne’s Albert Park.

Hamilton finished 13th and a distant 1.5 seconds behind Charles Leclerc in practice, with world champion Max Verstappen second, 0.245 seconds adrift, and Carlos Sainz third in the other Ferrari.