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Max Verstappen Responds to George Russell's Call for Rule Change Before Bahrain GP

This weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur due to political reasons, is expected to face scorching heat with temperatures exceeding 31C. The FIA has labeled the event a heat-hazard race.

Despite the intense heat, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will not use cooling vests during the race. The German team decided to focus their cost cap budget on performance upgrades rather than investing in making the cooling technology durable enough for race use.

George Russell's Standpoint on Cooling Vests

Speaking to The Times before the race, Russell expressed frustration that drivers are unable to freely wear cooling vests. He urged the FIA to reconsider the rules, suggesting additional funding or external development to make cooling vests available to all drivers.

“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].”

Verstappen’s Reaction to Russell’s Comments

Max Verstappen, starting from pole position after a strong qualifying, dismissed Russell’s complaints. The four-time world champion told Telegraaf that Russell should adapt to the heat rather than demand 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.”

Starting Grid Highlights

  • 1st: Max Verstappen (pole position)
  • 2nd: Lewis Hamilton
  • 3rd: Kimi Antonelli
  • 4th: Charles Leclerc
  • 5th: Lando Norris
  • 6th: Oscar Piastri
  • 7th: George Russell

Red Bull showed strong pace in qualifying, giving Verstappen confidence for his first win this season. Meanwhile, Russell sits second in the World Championship standings, trailing teammate Antonelli by 66 points.

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