Comments from Communications Director Bradley Lord
The 2021 British Grand Prix remains etched in memory for the collision at Copse on the first lap between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman’s violent 51G impact against the barriers. The incident not only forced the Dutchman to visit the circuit’s medical center for precautionary checks but also intensified the rivalry between the two drivers, who were locked in a fierce battle for the championship, as well as between Mercedes and Red Bull.
Relations between the two teams worsened, particularly after the race, when the Brackley-based squad celebrated Hamilton’s victory despite having expressed concern for Max Verstappen’s condition. This sparked criticism. Years later, Mercedes’ Communications Director, Bradley Lord, reflected on the incident, admitting that the team did not handle the situation in the best possible way.
This self-reflection from the Anglo-German squad comes with an acknowledgment that, given the chance, they would act differently: “If there’s one thing we regret, I believe it’s having trusted the words of a Red Bull member regarding Max’s condition after the 2021 Silverstone incident,” Bradley Lord explained to *Planet F1*. “I think the way we were perceived following that incident marked a dramatic deterioration in our relationship during that season, albeit unintentionally. If we could go back in time and change it, I believe we would revise our responses and actions from that afternoon onward.” – he concluded.
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