Max Verstappen Responds to George Russell's Call for Cooling Vest Rule Change Before Bahrain GP
The upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, set in Malaysia due to political reasons, faces extreme heat conditions with temperatures expected to exceed 31°C at Sepang International Circuit. Despite the sweltering weather, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will race without cooling vests. The team chose to allocate their cost cap budget towards car performance upgrades instead of investing in more durable cooling technology.
In an interview with The Times, Russell voiced his frustration about the current rules, urging the FIA to allow all drivers access to cooling vests if they want. He suggested either increasing the cost cap or involving an external company to develop standardized cooling equipment funded collectively.
"We won’t be running the cooling vest because we haven’t put the resource into making it robust enough," Russell said. "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, who secured pole position after an impressive qualifying session, addressed Russell's remarks. The Dutch driver, a four-time world champion, dismissed the complaints and emphasized adapting to the heat instead of demanding rule changes. Speaking to Telegraaf, Verstappen said:
"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, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli starts third. Russell qualified in seventh place, behind Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri who occupy fourth through sixth spots.
Red Bull showed strong pace during qualifying, and Verstappen looks ready to claim his first victory of the season. In the World Championship standings, Russell trails teammate Antonelli by 66 points, holding second place.
- Race Starting Grid Highlights:
- 1st: Max Verstappen
- 2nd: Lewis Hamilton
- 3rd: Kimi Antonelli
- 4th: Charles Leclerc
- 5th: Lando Norris
- 6th: Oscar Piastri
- 7th: George Russell
