Sepang air hangs at 60C and George Russell will sit in it unprotected. Mercedes confirmed both Russell and Kimi Antonelli will race the Malaysian Grand Prix without driver cooling vests. The decision exposes a direct trade off between car development and driver welfare under Formula 1 cost cap pressure.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why are George Russell and Kimi Antonelli racing without cooling vests?
- A: Mercedes confirmed both drivers will compete in the Malaysian Grand Prix without driver cooling vests, a decision linked to cost cap pressures prioritizing car development.
- Q: How hot is it at Sepang for the race?
- A: Sepang air hangs around 60°C, creating extreme heat stress for drivers on track.
- Q: What does this decision reveal about F1’s budget cap?
- A: It exposes a direct trade-off between spending on car development and driver welfare systems under Formula 1’s cost cap constraints.