Few moments in recent Formula 1 history have been as polarizing and dramatic as the opening lap collision between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 British Grand Prix. The crash at Copse corner, which sent Verstappen’s Red Bull hurtling into the barriers at over 180 mph, not only shook the Red Bull camp but left a lasting mark on the sport’s most heated rivalry of the modern era.
“Is He Okay?” – Newey Recalls the Tension on the Pit Wall
Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s legendary design chief, has opened up about his feelings in the immediate aftermath of the crash during a recent appearance on the High Performance podcast. With Verstappen’s car embedded in the tire wall and silence over the team radio, Newey and the Red Bull team feared the worst.
“I mean, they’re horrible, they really are,” Newey said, recalling the terrifying incident.
“I think Max’s one at Silverstone was the last one where we thought, ‘Is he okay? Is he badly hurt in there?’”
The tension grew as Verstappen initially responded with grunts, leading to concern about the extent of his injuries.
“He was very sore. He had a quite nasty concussion. He was very sore for a week after, but he was okay.”
A Sour Turning Point in the Rivalry
The crash wasn’t just a pivotal moment on track—it also marked a low point in the relationship between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes AMG F1. The Red Bull camp felt Mercedes and Hamilton’s post-race celebrations were insensitive, especially as Verstappen was being evaluated in a hospital following the impact that measured 51G.
Bradley Lord, Red Bull’s Chief Communications Officer, admitted in hindsight that the incident could have been handled with greater sensitivity on both sides.
“If we could go back in time and change it, I think we would change our responses and what we did at that point in time, around that afternoon,” Lord told PlanetF1.
The fallout from the crash amplified tensions, not just between the teams but also among their fanbases. Red Bull and Mercedes found themselves embroiled in a public war of words, fueling the already fiery title battle.
A Season-Defining Incident
Verstappen’s crash at Silverstone was one of several flashpoints during the intense 2021 title fight, which culminated in the controversial finale in Abu Dhabi. While Verstappen ultimately claimed his maiden title, the events at Silverstone underscored the dangers of Formula 1, even in an era of heightened safety standards.
Newey drew comparisons to other high-profile accidents, including the tragic loss of Anthoine Hubert at Spa in 2019, reminding fans that motorsport can never be entirely risk-free.
“Those sorts of accidents still can happen, and do happen,” he reflected.
“It’s never going to be 100 per cent safe.”
Hindsight and Healing
While the crash may have deepened the animosity in 2021, Newey and Lord’s comments suggest a degree of introspection within the Red Bull camp. Acknowledging missteps in how Verstappen’s condition and the incident were publicly handled reflects an effort to move past the toxic fallout and focus on the future.
As Newey prepares to leave Red Bull for a new role at Aston Martin, the Silverstone saga stands as a reminder of the emotional and physical stakes in Formula 1’s fiercest battles.