P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes Chief Communications Officer Bradley Lord said the team regrets its response to Lewis Hamilton’s clash with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the 2021 Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
In the 2021 F1 season, Hamilton and Verstappen were locked in a fierce title battle. Things escalated drastically at Silverstone when they collided on the opening lap, putting Verstappen into the barriers with a 51G impact. While Verstappen thankfully avoided serious injury, he was briefly knocked out and taken to the hospital for checks. After the incident, tensions rose between Mercedes and Red Bull, with criticism over Hamilton’s celebrations and concern for Verstappen. The season saw continued clashes between the two drivers and teams, creating a very public and heated rivalry. Despite regrets over handling the aftermath of the incidents, the tension culminated in a controversial championship-deciding race at Abu Dhabi, where a safety car call benefitted Verstappen, leading to his title win over Hamilton. Mercedes and Hamilton expressed disappointment over the outcome, while acknowledging the contentious debate among fans. Lord reflected on the team’s communication post-Abu Dhabi positively, contrasting it with the missteps following the Silverstone crash earlier in the season.
