Russell warns tyre overheating at Sepang could kill overtaking at Malaysian Grand Prix

George Russell has warned that tyre overheating at the Malaysian Grand Prix could significantly reduce overtaking opportunities at Sepang International Circuit, with the FIA already declaring a heat hazard over the race weekend.

Speaking in Thursday’s media session ahead of Formula 1’s return to Malaysia — the country hosting the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix slot — the Mercedes driver explained that the circuit’s extreme surface temperatures set it apart from other tracks where close racing has flourished this season.

“I think the big difference on this circuit compared to other so-called yo-yo circuits is the tyre overheating,” Russell said. “Circuits such as Melbourne, Silverstone, Monza — there wasn’t actually that much tyre overheating from surface. Canada as well. So that kind of allowed the drivers to stay a little bit closer within that one second. Even in Bahrain, it was quite cool, the drivers could stay close. Whereas here, surface overheating is going to be a huge thing. You’ll be overheating the tyres even on the out lap of a qualifying session, which may make it more challenging to follow closer and to re-attack once you’ve been overtaken — but that’s a total unknown currently.”

Sepang last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2017, and despite resurfacing work completed in September, teams are bracing for a highly abrasive track that may offer limited grip until cars lay down rubber across the weekend. Russell acknowledged the tension between the two concerns: a green track that could generate yo-yo racing dynamics, and a hot surface that simultaneously punishes tyre temperatures — making it unlikely drivers will benefit from both conditions at once.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri shared similar reservations about degradation. “I think it’ll be high. It looks like sandpaper out there, so we’ll wait and see, but I definitely think it’s going to be challenging with tyre deg,” Piastri said. “Obviously I don’t know how much racing or track running there’s been recently. And anything that has been, the rain probably washes it off every afternoon anyway. So yeah, I think it’s going to be a pretty tough weekend from every angle.”

Friday’s practice sessions will be critical for all teams in establishing baseline degradation data and allowing drivers — several of whom have never raced at Sepang — to familiarise themselves with a circuit that has been absent from the calendar for eight years. How quickly the track rubbers in, and whether the afternoon heat proves as punishing as Russell fears, could shape the strategic picture heading into Sunday’s race.