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The Cooldown Room: Where Emotions Run High in F1
As the checkered flag falls and the engines quiet down, the top three drivers of the race make their way to the podium. But before they can celebrate, they must first make a stop in the infamous F1 cooldown room. This is where emotions run high and rivalries are on full display.
At the recent Monaco Grand Prix, the podium finishers were Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, and Lando Norris. But Norris was only on the podium because Charles Leclerc spun out of third place with just nine laps to go. As the drivers watched the replay of the incident on the cooldown room television, Norris noted how aggressive Leclerc had been on the kerbs.
The cooldown room has become a staple in F1 since its introduction, with the exception of the inaugural Las Vegas GP. After the race, the top three drivers are escorted to the nearby Bellagio Hotel for the traditional podium interviews before being driven back to the grid for the ceremony.
10 Memorable Moments in the F1 Cooldown Room
Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg Celebrate Together – 2008 Australian Grand Prix
A young Lewis Hamilton converted pole position into victory at the 2008 season-opening Australian GP, overcoming the disappointment of losing the 2007 championship by just one point in his rookie year. It was also a special race for Nico Rosberg, who achieved his first podium finish in F1 with Williams.
The two drivers had a long history of competing against each other in karting and were even teenage best friends who went on holiday together. So when they shared a podium for the first time, Hamilton and Rosberg shared a big hug in the cooldown room. But as their F1 careers progressed, their relationship would become less friendly.
Mark Webber Reminds Sebastian Vettel of ‘Multi 21’ – 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix
The tension between Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel as Red Bull teammates reached boiling point at the 2013 Malaysian GP. Webber was leading a comfortable 1-2 for the team, but Vettel ignored team orders to hold position and overtook Webber with 10 laps to go. In the cooldown room, Webber reminded Vettel of the team’s code, ‘multi 21’, to which Vettel had no response.
The drama continued, with Webber eventually leaving F1 at the end of the year. On the podium, he claimed that Vettel would have the team’s protection as usual, hinting at favoritism within the team.
Lewis Hamilton Throws Cap at Nico Rosberg After Winning Third World Title – 2015 United States Grand Prix
The friendship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg had long disappeared by 2015. As Mercedes teammates, they had fiercely competed for the 2014 and 2015 championships, with Hamilton coming out on top both times. After winning the United States GP and securing his third world title, Hamilton pushed Rosberg wide at Turn 1, angering his teammate.
In the cooldown room, Rosberg sat silently staring at the ground in frustration. Hamilton then threw the second-place Pirelli cap onto his lap, and Rosberg immediately threw it back at him, hitting Hamilton’s shoulder. It was a clear display of their strained relationship.
Sebastian Vettel Calls Daniil Kvyat a ‘Torpedo’ – 2016 Russian Grand Prix
In 2016, Daniil Kvyat was promoted to Red Bull Racing, becoming Sebastian Vettel’s teammate. But at the Russian GP, Kvyat caused a collision with Vettel on the first lap, ending the German’s race. In the cooldown room, Vettel called Kvyat a ‘torpedo’, referencing his aggressive driving style.
The incident sparked a rivalry between the two drivers, with Vettel eventually leaving Red Bull at the end of the season.
The Cooldown Room: Where Rivalries Are Born and Emotions Run High
The F1 cooldown room is not just a place for drivers to cool down after a race. It’s where rivalries are born, and emotions run high. From heated exchanges to friendly celebrations, the cooldown room is a place where the true personalities of F1 drivers are on full display. And with each race, we can’t wait to see what unfolds in this infamous room.
The Drama of the Cooldown Room: A Look Back at Memorable Moments
The cooldown room, a place where emotions run high and tensions can boil over. It’s where drivers gather after a race to cool down and discuss the events that unfolded on the track. But sometimes, the discussions can turn into heated arguments and even lead to drivers being asked to leave. Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable moments in the cooldown room, as reported by Kosport Magazine.
The 2016 Chinese Grand Prix: Vettel vs Kvyat
The Chinese Grand Prix in 2016 was a special race for Daniil Kvyat as he claimed his second F1 podium. But it was his start that caused some drama in the cooldown room. Kvyat’s aggressive move down the inside of Turn 1 caused Sebastian Vettel to take evasive action, resulting in a collision with his Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen. Vettel was not happy with Kvyat’s move and the two had a heated exchange in the cooldown room, with Vettel calling Kvyat a “torpedo”. The incident was referenced by Daniel Ricciardo at the 2017 British GP, adding to the drama.
Verstappen Gets Kicked Out – Twice
In his early days at Red Bull, Max Verstappen had a habit of getting kicked out of the cooldown room. The first time was at the 2016 Mexican GP, when he was given a penalty for cutting a corner. Verstappen was informed of the penalty in the cooldown room and left in frustration, telling Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg “it’s been good guys, see you later”. The second time was at the 2017 United States GP, when he was penalized for a last-lap overtake on Raikkonen. Verstappen was not informed of the penalty until he reached the cooldown room, leading to another memorable moment.
Raikkonen’s Confusing Question – 2018 United States GP
The 2018 United States GP saw Kimi Raikkonen take the win, but it was his question to Lewis Hamilton in the cooldown room that caught everyone’s attention. Raikkonen asked Hamilton if he had won the championship, to which Hamilton responded with a confused “no”. It was a light-hearted moment in the usually tense cooldown room, showing the camaraderie between the drivers.
The Cooldown Room: A Place of Drama and Emotion
The cooldown room may seem like a simple gathering place for drivers after a race, but it has seen its fair share of drama and emotion. From heated arguments to confusing questions, it’s a place where tensions can run high and friendships can be tested. But at the end of the day, it’s a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of motorsports, there is still room for camaraderie and sportsmanship.
Summary:
The cooldown room in Formula 1 may seem like a simple gathering place for drivers after a race, but it has seen its fair share of drama and emotion. From heated arguments to confusing questions, it’s a place where tensions can run high and friendships can be tested. Some memorable moments include Vettel and Kvyat’s heated exchange at the 2016 Chinese GP, Verstappen getting kicked out of the room twice, and Raikkonen’s confusing question to Hamilton at the 2018 United States GP. But at the end of the day, the cooldown room is a reminder that even in the high-stakes world of motorsports, there is still room for camaraderie and sportsmanship.
/s1000/race-winner-kimi-raikkonen-fe-1.jpg” alt=”Race winner Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF71H celebrates in Parc Ferme with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 W09 in back ground ” width=”1200″ height=”800″ loading=”lazy”>
Race winner Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF71H celebrates in Parc Ferme with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 W09 in back ground
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
Raikkonen claimed his final grand prix victory at the 2018 United States GP ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton, who would have clinched a fifth title that day had he finished eight points ahead of Vettel and not three as the Ferrari driver came fourth.
But a vexed Hamilton was reminded of this in the cooldown room. Out of nowhere, Raikkonen asked Hamilton “did you win the championship” and an abrupt “no” was the reply. When others in the cooldown room started laughing, Raikkonen defended himself saying “I didn’t know, I didn’t know”.
Verstappen and Raikkonen were then reminded of the Austin cooldown room from 12 months prior. So, Verstappen jokingly replied “now, I’m allowed to stay”.
Max Verstappen sits in world champion throne at Suzuka – 2022 Japanese Grand Prix
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
The 2022 Japanese GP caused one of the funniest and most iconic cooldown room moments. It came after a race that completed just 28 of its intended 53 laps due to torrential rain, as Verstappen led a Red Bull 1-2 with Leclerc in third.
As less than 75% of the scheduled race distance was completed, teams and drivers assumed full points would not be awarded. In that scenario, Verstappen was not yet champion because 75% of race points would have been given, leaving the Red Bull driver one point short of the advantage he needed over Leclerc.
However, a new rule stated that full points would not be awarded only “if a race cannot be resumed or suspended”, but the Japanese GP did resume after an initial red flag on lap two, so full points were given. The paddock didn’t know this until Johnny Herbert suddenly informed a confused Verstappen that he was champion in the parc ferme interviews.
The doubt still lingered though and Verstappen wasn’t completely sure until the cooldown room when officials assured him that he was now a double world champion. So, as requested, Verstappen then entered the neighbouring room and sat – quite awkwardly – in a big, red seat with “2022 world champion” labelled on the wall behind. Verstappen sat in front of the cameras for 20 seconds before re-entering the next room after claiming “I feel a bit lonely”.
Drivers discuss Sebastian Vettel’s retirement – 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin AMR22
Photo by: Erik Junius
Vettel announced that he was to retire from F1 at the end of the 2022 season. However, many drivers have previously done that before returning at a later date like Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Alonso.
So, in the cooldown room after the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP, it was discussed if Vettel would do the same. Perez, who finished third that day, said: “It didn’t feel like a goodbye to Seb. I have a feeling he will come back.”
But Leclerc, who was Vettel’s Ferrari team-mate in 2019 and 2020, strongly rebuffed Perez’s claim saying: “I don’t have that feeling. I don’t think he will come back, unfortunately.”
Drivers joke about the ‘Max Verstappen podcast’ – 2023 Japanese Grand Prix
Lando Norris, McLaren, 2nd position, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, in the post race Press Conference
Photo by: FIA Pool
Verstappen finished on the podium for each of the first 14 grands prix in 2023, so the world champion became a regular feature of the cooldown room. His run ended with an off-weekend in Singapore where Verstappen finished fifth, before returning to form at the next race in Suzuka with a victory.
Joining him in the cooldown room that day were both McLaren drivers as Norris finished second with rookie Piastri claiming his maiden podium. When the three drivers were watching the race highlights, Norris joked that “this [the McLaren drivers] is going to be next on Max’s podcast”.
Piastri then referred to himself as a “new addition” before Verstappen bluntly said “I don’t even like podcasts”. Journalists then asked him about the comment in the post-race press conference showing how many talking points can come from the cooldown room.
