Adrian Newey calls Max Verstappen ‘a bit out of...’ in key Lewis Hamilton's...

Adrian Newey calls Max Verstappen ‘a bit out of…’ in key Lewis Hamilton’s…read more.

Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s former design genius, recently shared his perspective on Max Verstappen’s intense 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton, claiming that Verstappen was “a bit out of order” during the Brazilian Grand Prix that year. Reflecting on the dramatic events that unfolded during the 2021 Formula 1 season, Newey discussed how the pressure began to affect Verstappen as he fought Hamilton for the championship, particularly after key moments such as Silverstone and Monza, where the two drivers clashed.

In 2021, Verstappen and Red Bull mounted a serious challenge to Hamilton, who had won four consecutive championships with Mercedes from 2017 to 2020. The season became a fierce rivalry between the two drivers, and several incidents on track further ignited tensions. Notably, their clashes at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza left lasting memories as both drivers pushed the limits of aggression. However, it was in Brazil where Newey feels Verstappen’s actions crossed the line.

During the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, a pivotal moment came when Verstappen and Hamilton went head-to-head at Turn 4. As Hamilton attempted to pass Verstappen around the outside, Verstappen braked late, pushing both drivers wide and forcing them into the run-off area. While Hamilton would eventually complete the overtake and win the race, Verstappen was fortunate to avoid a penalty for the incident, which Newey now calls into question.

In the latest High Performance Podcast, Newey was asked whether Verstappen, who now holds three World Championships, ever displayed signs of cracking under pressure during the 2021 season. Newey admitted that the battle did get to Verstappen at times, particularly after the controversial accident at Silverstone. Verstappen had been leading the championship comfortably going into that race, but a collision with Hamilton on the opening lap sent Verstappen crashing out of the race, significantly narrowing the gap between the two in the standings.

Newey explained that Verstappen had strong feelings about the Silverstone crash, which was a major turning point in the title fight. Verstappen’s frustration only grew as further misfortunes followed, including being taken out in Hungary after a collision with Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. Although Bottas’s involvement wasn’t intentional, the impact left Verstappen struggling to score points and saw Red Bull lose their championship lead.

The pressure mounted on Verstappen as Mercedes found a late-season surge in performance. With Hamilton hunting him down in the title race, Verstappen began to feel the weight of being the hunted rather than the hunter. Newey remarked that the situation affected Verstappen’s composure, and his actions in Brazil, in particular, were a sign of that pressure.

According to Newey, Verstappen was “probably lucky” to escape without a penalty for his aggressive driving at the Brazilian GP, where he pushed the limits while defending against Hamilton. While Verstappen managed to finish second in that race, ten-and-a-half seconds behind Hamilton, Newey’s reflection suggests that Verstappen’s driving was borderline unacceptable. In his view, Verstappen was feeling the pressure of the intense title battle and reacted accordingly.

Newey also touched on another key moment in the 2021 season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Verstappen and Hamilton had another on-track skirmish. While he was less critical of Verstappen’s driving in Saudi Arabia, describing it as “not clear,” Newey stands firm in his assessment of the Brazil incident, acknowledging that Verstappen’s behavior was a bit “out of order.”

Ultimately, Verstappen went on to win the championship in a highly controversial finale in Abu Dhabi, but Newey’s reflections provide insight into how the Dutch driver dealt with the increasing pressure during one of the most intense title battles in Formula 1 history. The Brazilian Grand Prix stands out as a moment when Verstappen’s aggressive tactics, fueled by the pressure, nearly cost him dearly.