Max Verstappen’s intense battle with Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 title fight remains one of the most gripping moments in Formula 1 history, where every detail contributed to the ultimate outcome. Behind the scenes, Verstappen made significant sacrifices and adopted innovative strategies that gave him an edge over Hamilton during the season‘s critical moments.
According to Verstappen’s former trainer, Bradley Scanes, much of Verstappen’s success was attributed to his relentless dedication and clever preparation beyond what was visible on race weekends. Scanes disclosed in a recent podcast how Verstappen found ways to compensate for Red Bull’s lack of certain resources, particularly leading up to the new Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s Unseen Preparations for the Saudi Arabian Circuit
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah marked its inaugural race in 2021, presenting a new challenge for all drivers. Scanes revealed that Red Bull did not have an official simulator module for the track available when the season reached this crucial point. In response, Verstappen took the initiative to locate a model of the circuit online and adapted it for his own simulator, enabling extensive practice ahead of the event.
“So Redbull did not even have the simulator version of the track in their simulator. And Max managed to find someone online to build out what the track looked like a spec to put on his own simulator. So he could practice the track.”
—Bradley Scanes, Former Trainer
This resourcefulness illustrates Verstappen’s hunger for every possible advantage, recognizing that in a title decider—even fractions of seconds can decide the championship. Scanes emphasized that this mindset is what distinguishes true world champions from their competitors.
The Drama and Impact of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the Championship
The first-ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix provided a dramatic backdrop to the season’s title fight between Verstappen and Hamilton. The race featured multiple incidents, including crashes, red flags, and penalties, along with a tense collision between the two leading contenders. Although Hamilton ultimately crossed the finish line first, his victory was hard-fought and contested.
Hamilton finished approximately ten seconds ahead of Verstappen and teammate Valtteri Bottas, but the intense circumstances left both drivers tied in points heading into the season finale at Abu Dhabi. This set the stage for one of Formula 1’s most controversial and memorable conclusions, where Verstappen seized his maiden world championship in a dramatic final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The strategic ingenuity Verstappen demonstrated by preparing independently for new circuits contributed significantly to his ability to keep pace with and ultimately outperform Hamilton. These efforts underscore the level of commitment necessary to succeed at the highest level in motorsport and highlight the often unseen battles that take place away from the spotlight.