F1 / NEWS & CONTEXT

Verstappen dismisses heat complaints as Russell calls for cooling vests

Verstappen says drivers should train for racing in the heat, while Russell wants cooling vests made compulsory in high temperatures.

GPBeat · Newsroom03 Oct 2026, 15:35 · 1 min

Max Verstappen has pushed back against concerns about the heat faced by Formula 1 drivers, arguing that coping with high temperatures is part of racing. Speaking to RacingNews365 and other outlets on 3 October, he said he did not need a cooling system and that drivers should train for hot conditions. He acknowledged that racing in the heat was uncomfortable and suggested he might be less affected by it than others.

His view contrasts with George Russell’s position. RacingNews365 reports that the Mercedes driver wants the FIA to require cooling vests for every driver in high temperatures. It also says Russell did not have a vest that weekend because of budget-cap constraints.

Verstappen recalled finding the heat harder to manage when he was about 18 and said he responded by training in hot conditions, including sauna sessions.

Sources 01

SOURCEVerstappen neemt klachten Russell niet serieus: "Stel je niet zo aan!"RacingNews365 Nederland · Source date as found: 2026-10-03

Source context

RacingNews365 Nederland reported Verstappen’s comments and described Russell’s position on 3 October 2026.

Claims and supporting evidence 5

In its October 3 report, RacingNews365 attributes to Verstappen the view that heat is part of racing and that drivers should train for it.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Verstappen's attributed reaction to racing in the heat 2026-10-03 This establishes what the publication reports Verstappen saying, not the effectiveness or safety of training in heat.

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RacingNews365 quotes Verstappen saying he does not need the cooling system, while acknowledging that racing in heat is uncomfortable. His remark about not making a fuss appears in the body of the article in different wording from the headline.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Cooling equipment and Verstappen's own preference 2026-10-03 His statement about his own needs is not a finding that cooling equipment is unnecessary for other drivers.

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RacingNews365 reports that Russell favours cooling vests and wants the FIA to require them for every driver in high temperatures. It also reports that he lacks one that weekend because of budget-cap constraints.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Russell's contrasting position as reported by RacingNews365 The race weekend discussed in the 2026-10-03 article These are the publication's accounts of Russell's position and circumstances; no direct statement from Russell is supplied.

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Verstappen also says that he struggled more with heat when he was about eighteen and describes heat training as his response. His own account therefore does not amount to saying that drivers never struggle with heat.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Qualification of Verstappen's stance Past experience recalled in the 2026-10-03 article The account is personal recollection, not independent evidence about the effects of heat training.

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The page calls the setting the Malaysian Grand Prix, while its own race calendar lists Bahrain for October 4, 2026. The supplied page therefore does not support an unqualified identification of the Grand Prix.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Event identification within the supplied page 2026-10-03 to 2026-10-04 The calendar and article are parts of the same supplied page; neither resolves the discrepancy independently.

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This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.