Lewis Hamilton was a force to be reckoned with fire during the 2014-2021 season, closing in on his quest for his eighth world title. The legendary racer locked horns with a young racing sensation of Red Bull, Max Verstappen. The experienced racer was leading for the most part and was poised for a historic win.
However, a racing incident brought out a safety car, giving Verstappen space to get onto fresh tyres. When racing resumed, Verstappen made a brave yet controversial move to overtake Hamilton. He ultimately won the race and his maiden world title. However, the incident left the fans split, alleging Verstappen of an illegal move. Recently, Adrian Newey revisited the incident, claiming it had a lasting impact on the Silver Arrows.
Adrian Newey Discusses The Psychological Impact Of Abu Dhabi Clash Between Red Bull And Mercedes
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton faced off in a high-stakes showdown during the final race of the 2021 season, which turned into a heated contest for the championship title. As the race progressed, it seemed that Hamilton was poised to secure the victory. However, a late Safety Car period allowed Verstappen to make a strategic pit stop for fresh tires, dramatically changing the race’s dynamics.
The restart sparked considerable controversy among fans, and Verstappen ultimately emerged as the champion. Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s chief engineer, reflected on the aftermath, suggesting that the outcome had a lasting psychological impact on Mercedes. According to Newey, rather than accepting the result and moving forward, Mercedes struggled to shake off the emotional toll of the race. He noted that it’s crucial for teams to maintain a positive mindset after setbacks, as dwelling on perceived injustices can hinder performance. Newey emphasized the importance of fostering a motivated atmosphere within the team rather than succumbing to negativity after a disappointing outcome.
Toto Wolff Warns Mercedes And Hamilton Ahead Of Some “Tough” Tracks
After George Russell’s triumph at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff reassured Lewis Hamilton that he would secure at least one more victory with Mercedes. This assurance became a reality just one race later at Silverstone, where Hamilton ended a nearly 1,000-day winless streak. Although he initially crossed the finish line in second place at Spa, he was later awarded the victory following his teammate’s disqualification.
Recently, Wolff has noticed a surge in performance from McLaren and Ferrari, prompting him to reconsider how many more races Mercedes can realistically compete for wins. Historically, Mercedes has performed well at tracks like Barcelona, Silverstone, and Spa, but Wolff now identifies Austin as a potential opportunity while acknowledging that few circuits still favor the team.
He also emphasized the fierce competition among the leading teams, pointing out that the performance gaps are often minimal—just a few tenths of a second. Key factors such as car balance, tire management, and aerodynamics can significantly impact race results. Notably, he highlighted Ferrari’s strong showing in Singapore last year and expects them to be competitive again alongside Red Bull and McLaren. With these four teams closely matched, Wolff anticipates a highly competitive race at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
