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 Malaysia due to political reasons, faces challenging heat with temperatures expected above 31C. Despite this, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will not use cooling vests during the race. The team chose to allocate its budget cap towards car performance upgrades rather than developing reliable cooling technology.

Before the race, George Russell told the Times that all drivers should have the option to wear cooling vests, urging the FIA to reconsider current regulations. He suggested either an increase in the cost cap or involvement of an external company to provide cooling solutions accessible to everyone.

“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, shared his take on Russell’s remarks in an interview with the Telegraaf. The four-time world champion dismissed the complaints, saying drivers need to adapt to the heat instead of making a fuss.

“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 will begin the race in seventh place, trailing Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri who occupy fourth, fifth, and sixth spots respectively.

Red Bull impressed in qualifying, and Verstappen looks set to claim his first win of the season. Russell currently sits second in the World Championship standings, 66 points behind his teammate Antonelli.

• Qualifying Top Positions:
• 1st: Max Verstappen
• 2nd: Lewis Hamilton
• 3rd: Kimi Antonelli
• 4th: Charles Leclerc
• 5th: Lando Norris
• 6th: Oscar Piastri
• 7th: George Russell