Russell to Race in Malaysia's Extreme Heat Without Cooling Vest

George Russell is preparing to compete in the high temperatures of Malaysia without a cooling vest, a piece of equipment worn by some rivals to mitigate extreme heat. Cockpit temperatures at the Sepang International Circuit are projected to exceed 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) during the race.

The Grand Prix has been relocated from Bahrain to Malaysia due to conflict in the Middle East, resulting in an eight-hour flight from Manama to Sepang. This marks the first time in nearly a decade that Sepang has hosted a Formula One race, meaning the conditions present an unfamiliar challenge for most of the current grid.

The race is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, potentially making it one of the most physically demanding events on the calendar, comparable to the Singapore Grand Prix. Russell experienced severe dehydration and hyperventilation during the 2024 Singapore race.

Russell, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, noted the physical demands of maintaining a slim physique for racing. He explained that while he would prefer to use a cooling vest, Mercedes has prioritized car development within the budget cap. "The team asked me, 'Look, we can develop it, and we can put the money towards it but at a cost when we are trying to develop the car within the budget cap,'" Russell stated.

He added that several drivers, including those from McLaren and Ferrari, are expected to use cooling vests. Mercedes, however, has opted against it for both Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who is significantly shorter. Russell believes the FIA should permit the development of cooling vests outside the budget cap, asserting, "We should all be wearing the vest."

Russell also reflected on his 2024 experience in Singapore, where he reportedly lost eight pounds during the race. He suggested that his issues then may have been exacerbated by the shock of transitioning between extreme heat and an ice bath. "I think my problems there were more the shock from going into the ice bath, going from extreme heat to extreme cold. So perhaps I have learned from that and will be OK," he commented.

In Thursday's practice sessions, Russell placed second in the morning session behind Max Verstappen, but dropped to seventh in the afternoon after an error. Verstappen, notably, does not use a cooling vest. Antonelli was one position behind Russell in the second session. Charles Leclerc set the fastest time for Ferrari.

The air temperature during practice was 33 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit), with the track surface reaching 52.3 degrees Celsius (126 degrees Fahrenheit). Russell anticipates the race will be a significant test of both physical endurance and driving skill, a challenge he believes is best met with the protective equipment he will not have.