George Russell revealed Mercedes won’t be giving him a cooling vest at Sepang owing to cost-cap limitations at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Under the FIA’s latest Heat Hazard regulations, teams and drivers have the option of fitting a special cooling mechanism on their cars for select race events across the season.
After the race weekend at the Sepang International Circuit was declared a Heat Hazard, the teams were open to opting for the system, including a cooling vest for each of their drivers.
That said, in the build-up to the weekend, Russell revealed that the German marque had decided not to go ahead with the cooling vests owing to their additional costs coming under the cost cap.
The Briton explained how the team would prioritise developing the car instead. He further likened driving at Sepang to being locked into a sauna.
When put to Verstappen, he joked that the drivers shouldn’t “exaggerate” the effects of driving in places like Malaysia.
“I don’t need it [the cooling vests]. I have less trouble with the heat, I think,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But you shouldn’t exaggerate. It’s hot, but it’s part of it. You have to train for it.
“If it’s uncomfortable, well, sure – in all sports you eventually have to push to the limit; you can’t just cruise around.”
Max Verstappen reveals ‘special’ training regime ahead of Bahrain GP
Russell’s sauna comparison, however, wasn’t far off the mark, as Verstappen revealed.
Looking back on his early days in the sport, the four-time F1 World Champion detailed how he used to prepare for race weekends like the one he has to endure at Sepang.
“I used to do that [train in heated rooms] when I was 18. I struggled a bit more with the heat then,” he added.
“But over time, you just train more in the heat, like in a sauna, to get more comfortable staying in there longer, getting used to that sweating sensation and your head getting hot.
“I’ve been in the sauna a few times. [I do] nothing special during the race. Once you’re in the car, yeah, it’s hot, but it comes with the territory.
“You train for it, you make sure you’re fit enough and, sure, when you step out after the race, you’re thirsty and need to drink and eat quickly.”
Verstappen secured his maiden pole position of F1’s latest era, ahead of the first race at Sepang since 2017 – incidentally being the venue of Verstappen’s second-ever win.
READ MORE – Max Verstappen heralds Red Bull breakthrough after Sepang F1 pole position
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