Max Verstappen Responds to George Russell's Call for Cooling Vest Rule Change Before Bahrain GP
The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur due to political reasons, is expected to be a tough challenge as temperatures soar above 31°C. The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has even labeled it a heat-hazard race.
Despite the heat, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will not use cooling vests during the race. Mercedes chose to focus their budget cap spending on car performance upgrades rather than developing cooling technology that meets race standards.
In an interview with The Times, Russell expressed frustration about this, urging the FIA to reconsider the rules so all drivers could wear cooling vests if they wish. He proposed either increasing the cost cap or having a third party develop the technology accessible to every team.
"We won’t be running the cooling vest because we haven’t put the resource into making it robust enough," said Russell. "I feel we need the FIA just to step in and say, ‘Here’s some money extra in the cost cap,’ or there’s an external company who’s going to develop it for everybody, you just put the money towards it. Because we should all be wearing it."
"When it works, it works great. So I would like to wear it this week, and I would like to wear it next week. But the team asked me… look, we can develop it, and we can put the money towards it [but at the cost of performance]."
Max Verstappen's Take on the Issue
Max Verstappen, who earned pole position after an impressive qualifying session, responded to Russell’s comments through an interview with Telegraaf. The four-time world champion dismissed the complaints, suggesting Russell should adapt instead of demanding rule changes.
"I don’t need it. Maybe I suffer a bit less from the heat... I find a Finnish sauna at 85 degrees a lot hotter... You shouldn’t make a fuss. Yes, it is hot, but that’s part of it. You have to train for that."
"When I was eighteen, I had a bit more trouble with these conditions. But after that, I started training more in the heat, such as in the sauna and a steam room, so that I can handle the sweating better and the fact that your head gets very hot. Maybe I should take him (Russell) to the sauna a few times."
Joining Verstappen on the front row is Lewis Hamilton, with championship leader Antonelli starting third. Russell will line up seventh, trailing behind Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri who occupy fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively.
Red Bull showed strong pace in qualifying, giving Verstappen confidence he can secure his first win of the season. Meanwhile, Russell sits second in the championship standings, 66 points behind teammate Antonelli.
- Race Location: Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur
- Expected Temperature: Over 31°C
- Pole Position: Max Verstappen
- Front Row: Lewis Hamilton (2nd), Kimi Antonelli (3rd)
- Russell's Starting Position: 7th
- Russell's Championship Standing: 2nd, 66 points behind Antonelli
