Max Verstappen has rejected suggestions that he purposefully incurred a €50,000 fine at the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix as part of a psychological tactic against Lewis Hamilton. Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen said he could not recall the details of the incident and insisted it did not happen as some have described. The controversy centers on a parc fermé regulation breach, where Verstappen touched Hamilton’s rear wing, an act that led to the fine but no on-track penalty.
The 2021 season was marked by a fierce rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton, intensifying their battle for the Formula 1 World Championship. Verstappen ultimately secured his first title after a dramatic final lap showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Hamilton by eight points in the standings.
Details Behind the Rear Wing Incident and Its Consequences
The Brazilian Grand Prix weekend saw Hamilton secure pole position, with Verstappen qualifying directly behind. According to FIA records, Verstappen reached out to touch specific areas of Hamilton’s W12 rear wing, particularly at the slot gap near the DRS actuation device. While the stewards confirmed that no mechanical movement occurred from these touches, Verstappen was fined €50,000 for violating parc fermé regulations.
Despite this setback, Hamilton’s qualifying position was later disqualified due to his own rear wing breaching the allowed DRS slot gap size, which exceeded the 85mm maximum. This disqualification altered the grid and race dynamics, allowing Verstappen to capitalize and win the race.
Perspectives on the Mind Games from Within the Racing Community
Former performance coach Bradley Scanes has suggested that Verstappen’s actions in Brazil were calculated as part of a broader strategic psychological battle between the competing teams. On the High Performance podcast, Scanes described Verstappen’s touch on the Mercedes rear wing as a deliberate act, anticipating the fine but accepting it as a minor cost for gaining an advantage.
“Brazil is a good example [of the mind games] where Max went behind the Mercedes rear wing and was giving it a good feel,”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
“That was measured: he knew he was going to get a €50k fine and no impact on track.”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
Scanes also mentioned that the move was discussed within the team beforehand, though Verstappen had not disclosed it directly to him. He believed the tactic helped apply pressure, influencing the competition beyond the track itself.
“Even if nothing happened, [it would have been worth it],”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
“I think there was a change. For the last two races, they couldn’t run that particular wing, so that was helpful in its own sense because they absolutely ran away with that Brazil race.”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
“But even if nothing happened, that would have just shifted the focus, put a little bit of pressure in the media on them.”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
Verstappen’s Response to the Mind Game Allegations
When asked if touching Hamilton’s rear wing was a conscious mind game move, Verstappen maintained uncertainty and denied it felt intentional from his side. Speaking with the press, he said he couldn’t clearly recall the situation and emphasized that, at least personally, it did not seem planned or deliberate.
“From my side, it didn’t feel like that. So, I can’t really say anything more about it because, for me, it didn’t feel like that or it didn’t happen that way.”
—Max Verstappen, F1 Driver
This response highlights the tension and conflicting narratives that defined much of the 2021 season, as both Red Bull and Mercedes looked for psychological edges alongside their on-track battles.
Intense Rivalry Extends Beyond Drivers to Team Principals and Support Staff
The psychological warfare during the 2021 championship was not limited to the drivers alone. Bradley Scanes revealed that the mind games also involved team principals and even the support staff behind the scenes.
“Obviously the games between Toto [Wolff] and Christian [Horner] were always clear to see in the media,”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
“But then backstage, [in the] cooldown rooms between Max and Lewis or even Angela [Cullen, Hamilton’s trainer], [we] would kind of try and have a have a little go as well.”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Performance Coach
This reveals the layered nature of competition within Formula 1, where psychological pressure plays a significant role alongside pure racing skill.
Lasting Impact and Future Implications of the 2021 Brazil Incident
The €50k fine controversy exemplifies how intense and strategic the 2021 F1 season was, with small actions carrying amplified significance due to the rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton. Although Verstappen disputes the fining as a deliberate tactic, the incident remains a prominent example of how psychological battles influence Formula 1 competition.
The outcome at Brazil influenced car setups and team strategies in subsequent races, demonstrating that even minor penalties can affect championship momentum. As Verstappen and Hamilton continue to face off in future seasons, the psychological and tactical dimensions introduced in 2021 may continue shaping their rivalry.
