2021 F1 rivalry:Red Bull vs. Mercedes off-track tactics

The intense rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes during the 2021 Formula 1 season extended far beyond the track.

Both teams applying significant pressure on media figures to influence the narrative, according to Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok.

In a recent Reddit Q&A session, Chandhok shed light on the complexities of covering one of the most dramatic and controversial seasons in F1 history, which saw Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton locked in a fierce battle for the world championship.

Behind-the-scenes pressure

Chandhok, who joined Sky F1 at the start of the 2021 season, described the experience as a "rollercoaster" that presented unique challenges for broadcasters and journalists.

"It was clearly a weekend and a season where there was so much pressure from the paddock,"

Chandhok revealed.

"You had all these people from within the Red Bull and the Mercedes camps telling you things, trying to get you to sway your opinion."

This admission offers a rare glimpse into the off-track maneuvering that accompanied the on-track drama, highlighting the high stakes involved for both teams.

Controversial moments

The 2021 season was punctuated by several flashpoints between Verstappen and Hamilton, with their collisions at Silverstone and Monza standing out as particularly contentious.

However, it was the season finale in Abu Dhabi that Chandhok identified as

"arguably the most controversial race we've had in recent F1 history."

The race's conclusion, which saw then-FIA race director Michael Masi's contentious application of safety car rules, continues to generate debate and emotion within the F1 community.

"Even today there are people who are still upset and emotional when we talk about that race,"

Chandhok noted, underscoring the lasting impact of the 2021 season on the sport's landscape.

Long-term effects

While the immediate aftermath of the 2021 season saw Verstappen claim his first world title, the repercussions have extended far beyond that moment.

Verstappen has gone on to dominate the sport, securing three consecutive championships and potentially on course for a fourth.

Hamilton, conversely, endured a challenging period before returning to winning ways in 2024.

The seven-time world champion's recent decision to join Ferrari for the 2025 season adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing narrative.

Physical toll of the battle

In a startling revelation, Verstappen recently disclosed the physical toll of the 2021 season, particularly following his high-speed crash at Silverstone.

The Dutch driver admitted to struggling with vision problems for months afterward, reaching a critical point during the United States Grand Prix.

"Since my Silverstone crash, I've struggled with visibility problems,"

Verstappen explained in an interview with Red Bull's in-house publication.

"It was so bad for a few laps that I seriously considered turning the car off."

This admission provides a new perspective on the challenges Verstappen faced during his title run, adding another dimension to the already complex 2021 season.