Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton battled fiercely for the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, producing one of the most intense title fights in the sport’s history. The high-stakes rivalry featured a series of on-track confrontations, but a lesser-known moment occurred off the racing line when Verstappen engaged in a calculated psychological tactic aimed directly at Hamilton. This mind game unfolded during the Brazilian Grand Prix, revealing Verstappen’s intent to unsettle his formidable opponent.
Background on Mind Games in Formula 1 Rivalries
Mind games have long been part of Formula 1’s competitive landscape, with drivers frequently attempting to gain an edge by disrupting their rivals’ focus. Notorious examples include the intense psychological warfare between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their Mercedes team battles. In 2021, Verstappen appeared to apply a similar approach, demonstrating that Hamilton was not immune to these tactics during their breathtaking championship contest.
Verstappen’s Rear Wing Touch at the Brazilian Grand Prix
After qualifying at the Brazilian GP, Verstappen deliberately approached Hamilton’s car in Parc Fermé and touched the rear wing. This action led to a €50,000 ($58,000) fine for Verstappen, but the implication went beyond the penalty. Bradley Scanes, Verstappen’s former performance coach, revealed that the Dutch driver was fully aware the fine was inevitable and saw the move as a strategic psychological ploy.
Brazil is a good example [of the mind games] where Max went behind the Mercedes rear wing and was giving it a good feel. That was measured: he knew he was going to get a €50k fine and no impact on track. Not [with] me personally, but in the team it was discussed.
—Bradley Scanes, Performance Coach
Scanes explained that Verstappen’s plan was deliberate and pre-approved internally by the Red Bull team, highlighting the mental edge Verstappen sought to gain over Hamilton by physically invading his space and testing his composure.
The Aftermath of Verstappen’s Move on Hamilton and Mercedes
While Hamilton appeared unfazed during the Brazilian race itself, delivering a commanding victory over Verstappen, Scanes noted that the psychological impact and fallout extended beyond the track. The Mercedes team reportedly stopped using the specific rear wing design on Hamilton’s car for the remaining two races of the season, suggesting the incident disrupted more than just driver mindset.
Even if nothing happened, [it would have been worth it]. 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. 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, Performance Coach
This shift indicated how Verstappen’s calculated act forced Mercedes to reconsider their technical approach while adding distraction through increased media scrutiny. The tactic applied pressure not only on Hamilton but also on the entire Silver Arrows squad.
How Verstappen’s Mind Games Influenced the Season Finale Rivalry
Throughout the 2021 season, Verstappen demonstrated a composure and psychological readiness that appeared to unsettle the seven-time world champion Hamilton on several occasions. Verstappen’s affinity for such mental strategies contributed to the tension that climaxed at the controversial Abu Dhabi final race. Though the championship ended in dispute, the battle between Verstappen and Hamilton is remembered as a landmark moment in F1 history, partly due to the psychological warfare beyond just the racing itself.
By confidently confronting Hamilton with tactical mind games, Verstappen showcased his understanding of not just speed but also mental strength in the most intense championship fight seen in recent memory.
