Verstappen's blunt Sepang heat prep answer wins over F1 fans at Malaysian GP

Max Verstappen charmed Formula 1 fans at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Thursday after delivering a deadpan, self-deprecating answer about his preparation for the intense heat and humidity at Sepang — a circuit returning to the F1 calendar for the first time in almost a decade.

With air temperatures expected to exceed 31°C and thick humidity prompting a heat hazard declaration across the race weekend, journalists asked drivers how they had acclimatised. Most competitors spoke of heat-chamber training, adjusted hydration protocols, or cooling vests. Verstappen’s answer was rather different.

“I think I had four or five months of very intense preparation,” the four-time world champion said with a laugh. “Yeah, deep mental preparation of not giving an F…! Yeah, just rock up. It’s hot, but it’s also hot in Monaco and it gets very humid there as well. If you really want it hot, you go into the sauna or a steam room. I do that sometimes. You just need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, but that’s the case for everyone. It’s hot, sweaty and you need a few more underwears, I guess. But just go with the flow.”

The logic, stripped of the comedy, is not entirely without merit. Verstappen lives in Monaco, where summer heat and humidity are a genuine factor, and the Red Bull driver has long been known for his ability to manage physical demands without making a production of it.

The quote spread rapidly on social media, with fans responding warmly to the unscripted candour. “He’s the most relatable guy on the grid and just seems like a regular dude you can grab a beer with. Never change Max,” one Reddit user wrote. “I try to channel some Max at work some days,” added another. A third simply offered: “Maximum Max. Any day, any time, any circuit. Life is good.”

The reaction stands in contrast to the more managed media presence that has become common in the paddock. Verstappen’s answer came just weeks after Yuki Tsunoda was photographed at a press conference with a visible briefing sheet — a moment that highlighted how carefully some drivers curate their public responses.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, which retains its name and points allocation despite being relocated to Sepang after the original Bahrain race was cancelled earlier this season, takes place against a backdrop of a tight constructors’ championship battle. A slight chance of rain adds another variable to a weekend already complicated by the conditions.

For Verstappen, at least, the mental preparation is apparently complete.