Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were in the thick of their Championship battle in 2021. An arduous season that pushed both drivers to the absolute limits of racing, not just in terms of speed.
As much as the sport is about the fastest man, there’s also a psychological aspect. Verstappen understood this well, finding subtle ways to play mind games off the track. A credible source recounts how the Dutchman used the momentum and tension of the title fight to apply pressure on Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
The battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton took a psychological turn
The stakes were high as both drivers fought wheel-to-wheel for the championship, race after race. By the time the season reached Brazil, narratives were unfolding, and the tension between Mercedes and Red Bull – and their respective drivers – was palpable.
One specific moment during the Interlagos weekend stood out: Verstappen touched the rear wing of Hamilton’s Mercedes under parc ferme conditions. This rule breach earned the Dutchman a €50,000 fine but no sporting penalty.
According to Bradley Scanes, Verstappen’s former performance coach, the gesture was intentional:
“That was measured. He knew he was going to get a 50K fine, and no impact on track… Even if nothing happens, that would just put a little bit of pressure in the media on [Mercedes].”
Max Verstappen’s former performance trainer talking about the mind games in 2021 & how Max touching the Mercedes’ rear wing in Brazil was deliberate.
What an insane & intense season. pic.twitter.com/gWU9vaAVI2
— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) August 22, 2025
At the time, it looked like a young Max Verstappen testing the boundaries of a seasoned seven-time World Champion. This wasn’t a one-off, however. Throughout the season, Verstappen found ways to assert himself over Hamilton.
“We started changing the full kit, and the flip was Max really started to take his time, so Lewis had to wait for him. It was just a power trip thing to say, ‘We’re not waiting for you anymore, the baton has been passed and we’re taking over from here.”
In retrospect, what seemed like small, inconsequential moves now appear to have served a larger purpose in the title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
A decisive duel down to the last chequered flag
The margins were thin: the Dutchman and the Briton arrived in Abu Dhabi level on points, with the Championship set to be decided in one showdown. Hamilton led for much of the Grand Prix until a late and controversial decision swung his momentum. A decision that allowed Verstappen to seize the crown on the very last lap.
After, fans and pundits alike scrutinised the FIA’s role but also pointed to Verstappen’s subtle psychological tactics during the race. His aggressive opening move and pressure applied at the Safety Car restart were trending topics of discussion.
Regardless of interpretation, one thing was clear: Verstappen had his first World Championship.
Looking back, Verstappen’s subtle gestures suggest that victories in Formula 1 might not always be won inside the racing lines. With the Dutchman crowned Champion, the psychological win may have been just as consequential as the one on track.
