Verstappen tells Russell not to “make a fuss” over Sepang heat: “Maybe I should take him to the sauna”

Max Verstappen has told George Russell not to make a fuss about Sepang’s heat, arguing that drivers must prepare for the physical demands of racing in high temperatures. The Dutchman responded to the Mercedes driver’s concerns with a comparison to a Finnish sauna — and an invitation to join him.

The exchange adds another talking point before Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. While Verstappen starts from pole alongside Lewis Hamilton, Russell faces a recovery race after Mercedes fell short of its qualifying expectations.

Speaking to Dutch media in the Sepang paddock, Verstappen rejected the suggestion that the conditions require a different approach to driver protection.

“Well, 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.”

The four-time champion then directed his humour at Russell, suggesting that spending more time in a sauna could help him prepare.

“Maybe I should take him (George) to the sauna a few times.”

Why Russell wants cooling protection

Russell would like to use a cooling vest, but has explained that Mercedes prioritised other spending under the cost cap. His concern is therefore about access to equipment he wants to wear, rather than a refusal to prepare for demanding conditions.

Verstappen’s position is different: he prefers to compete without the vest and opposes making its use compulsory. The disagreement brings together two questions — what individual drivers consider necessary and how teams allocate resources to provide cooling protection.

The debate comes during a weekend in which Formula 1 has returned to Sepang for the first time since 2017. Heat has been a central consideration throughout the event, alongside the circuit’s abrasive surface and demanding tyre management.

Heat adds to Sunday’s challenge at Sepang

Physical preparation will form part of a race that already presents considerable uncertainty. High tyre degradation could create opportunities through different strategies and multiple pit stops, making sustained pace more important than qualifying performance alone.

Verstappen has secured the best starting position, but Hamilton and championship leader Kimi Antonelli will line up immediately behind him. Russell starts seventh following Isack Hadjar’s penalty and will need Mercedes to recover performance over a longer distance.

The sauna exchange provides a lighter moment before that challenge. Once the race begins, drivers will have to manage the heat while protecting their tyres and responding to a potentially changing strategic picture.

Formula 1 returns this weekend, from 2–4 October, to Malaysia, which hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang.

F1 today: FAQ

What time is F1 qualifying at Sepang?

Qualifying starts on Saturday, 3 October, at 16:00 Malaysia time. That is 09:00 BST in the UK, 04:00 EDT in New York and Toronto, 01:00 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver, 13:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEST in Sydney.

Did Lewis Hamilton receive a grid penalty for the Bortoleto incident?

No. Hamilton received a warning after impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during FP2 at Sepang. Ferrari was fined €10,000, but Hamilton will not lose grid positions over the incident.

Why were F1 lap times at Sepang over four seconds slower than expected?

Pirelli identified low grip, dust and an abrasive surface that increased tyre sliding and degradation. Friday’s benchmark was more than four seconds slower than its qualifying simulation reference, rather than four seconds slower than the 2017 race weekend.