The 2021 Formula 1 season will forever be etched in motorsport history as one of the most contentious and heated title battles. Now, years later, Mercedes’ Chief Communications Officer, Bradley Lord, has candidly admitted that the team regrets its handling of one of the pivotal moments of that season—Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic clash with Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone.
The Copse Corner Collision: A Turning Point
The first-lap incident at Copse corner was nothing short of seismic. Hamilton and Verstappen, locked in a ferocious title fight, collided, sending Verstappen’s Red Bull careening into the barriers with a terrifying 51G impact. The Dutchman was briefly knocked out and rushed to the hospital for precautionary checks. Meanwhile, Hamilton, penalized for the incident, went on to claim a controversial victory amid wild celebrations at Silverstone.
Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Helmut Marko lambasted Mercedes for their perceived lack of concern for Verstappen’s welfare, sparking a war of words that spilled onto social media and fueled an already fiery rivalry.
In hindsight, Lord believes Mercedes could have approached the situation with greater sensitivity.
“We Could Have Done Better”
Reflecting on the aftermath, Lord told PlanetF1:
“If we were to talk about something we regret, it’s how we handled the aftermath of the Silverstone crash. I think we could have shown more concern for Max’s well-being, regardless of our view on the incident itself. That moment really soured our relationship with Red Bull, and it intensified the animosity between the teams and their fan bases.”
The rivalry that season was as intense off-track as it was on. Lord admitted that the team’s response inadvertently stoked division among fans, a dynamic that continues to ripple through the F1 community today.
Fan Fallout: Social Media’s Role
The clash also ignited one of the most divisive periods in F1’s online history. Fanbases rallied behind their respective teams with a fervor that often crossed the line into toxicity.
“Antagonizing the relationship between the teams and the fans, albeit unintentionally, is something we would approach differently if we had the chance,” Lord said. “It wasn’t just about the teams—it impacted the broader F1 community.”
A Season of Controversy: Abu Dhabi 2021
The 2021 season culminated in another controversial chapter during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A late safety car call left Hamilton and Verstappen as the only two contenders on the final lap, handing Verstappen a dramatic victory and his first world championship. While the Silverstone fallout lingered, Lord expressed pride in how Mercedes handled the aftermath of Abu Dhabi.
“Our decision to remain silent after Abu Dhabi was intentional. No words could have captured our disappointment or the gravity of what unfolded. We wanted to show grace in an impossible situation.”
Memorable Moments: Lessons in Communication
While the 2021 season is a focal point of reflection, Lord also highlighted moments of pride during his tenure. One such instance was keeping Nico Rosberg’s 2016 retirement announcement under wraps—a rare feat in the hyper-connected world of F1.
“Being in the room when Nico dropped the bombshell and knowing we had kept it a total secret was a standout moment. Crafting those press releases late at night was an exhilarating challenge.”
Looking Forward
As F1 continues to evolve, the lessons from 2021 remain fresh in the minds of Mercedes’ leadership. The team’s reflections on Silverstone, Abu Dhabi, and their wider communication strategy underscore the delicate balance of competition, responsibility, and public perception in modern motorsport.
