Formula One drivers expressed shock after the sport's governing body quadrupled the amount stewards can fine them to a maximum of one million euros ($1.06 million).
F1 stewards exempted Lewis Hamilton from a jewellery ban at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday after accepting he risked disfigurement if a nose piercing was removed.
Formula One drivers will need prior written permission from the sport's governing body to make "political, religious and personal statements"
Lewis Hamilton vowed to continue speaking out despite Formula One's governing body clamping down on drivers
The topic was also raised at a drivers' briefing on Friday along with a discussion about the requirement for flame-resistant underwear.
Mercedes' seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, and now-retired four-times champion Sebastian Vettel, have been among those making political statements at races in recent seasons.
Mercedes however, were fined 25,000 euros for incorrectly declaring that Hamilton was in compliance with the jewellery ban in a self-scrutineering form.
McLaren risk heavy sanctions, including the possibility of being excluded from the Formula One championship, after being summoned to face charges of lying to stewards at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Tuesday that it had charged the team of world champion Lewis Hamilton with breaching the international sporting code on five counts.
Formula One teams have been told by the sport's governing body that the published 2010 regulations can only be changed if all, including the new entrants, agree. The autosport.com website reported on Tuesday that International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley had written to the teams pointing out the procedures laid down in the rules.
Triple world champion Jackie Stewart defended McLaren on Tuesday after Formula One's governing body opened an investigation into the team's Monaco Grand Prix victory.
FIA said it is looking into incidents involving the Mercedes-powered team 'in light of a possible breach of the International Sporting Code'.
Ferrari welcomed on Thursday a ruling by Formula One's governing body that stripped McLaren of their constructors' points and effectively handed the title to the Italian team.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
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