Mercedes has been flagged by the FIA for failing to inform the governing body that Lewis Hamilton is complying with its jewellery restrictions for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The clampdown on jewellery was introduced last year, with safety reasons cited behind the move.
However, it was met with some resistance from drivers, including Hamilton, who was granted a number of extended deadlines to remove his nose ring.
He also showed up to the Miami Grand Prix with several watches and jewellery items attached, which he later admitted was to play with the FIA and its regulation.
The seven-time World Champion was even summoned to the Stewards at last year’s Singapore Grand Prix over an alleged breach.
The FIA’s International Sporting Code that relates to the banning of jewellery reads: “The wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start.”
Sebastian Vettel, who has since retired from F1, claimed that the ban was directly aimed at Hamilton.
The FIA made a change that allowed teams and drivers to provide the FIA with self-scrutineering documents that must be issued to the FIA ahead of on-track action at every race weekend.
Drivers must confirm that they are wearing suitable fire-proof clothing and that all jewellery has been removed.
On Friday, the FIA stated that all other 19 drivers had scrutineering declaration forms processed prior to the deadline.
However, it further outlined: “The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team has not confirmed for his driver Lewis Hamilton (44) in the submitted self-scrutineering sheet that he is complying with the requirement to not wear any jewellery, in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains or watches (App L Ch III 5).”
Update: Stewards take no further action
The FIA has opted to take no further action on the matter, after the team met with the FIA Medical Delegate.
Complications arose when attempting to remove the piece of jewellery in question, leaving the FIA with no choice but to put the matter at rest.
A statement read: “The Stewards consulted the FIA Medical Delegate, who viewed the medical report, examined the driver and concurred with the opinion therein.
“We have determined to take no further action as there are concerns about disfigurement with frequent attempts at removal of the device.”
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