Formula 1 is set to race at a venue offering extreme heat for drivers, with Mercedes ace George Russell highlighting major issues in keeping tyres at their optimum temperature.
Speaking in Thursday's media session, the Briton warned that high temperatures at the Sepang International Circuit will cause tyres to overheat aggressively, making passing much more difficult. This comes as the FIA declared a heat hazard over the race weekend.
Sepang has not hosted an F1 race since 2017, and despite resurfacing work in September, teams anticipate an abrasive track surface offering low grip initially. George Russell believes such conditions bring unique challenges regarding tyre behavior.
George Russell
"I think the big difference on this circuit compared to other so-called yo-yo circuits is the tyre overheating," he said. "So circuits such as Melbourne, Silverstone, Monza, there wasn't actually that much tyre overheating from surface - Canada as well.
George Russell sits 2nd in the drivers' standings with 236 points.
Source: Motorsport
