Verstappen reveals visibility issues after his crash at the 2021 British GP

Max Verstappen's 2021 championship-winning season faced an unexpected challenge following his high-speed collision with Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix, Red Bull has disclosed.

The Dutch driver, who emerged victorious in one of Formula 1's most intense title battles, privately grappled with lingering effects from the 51G impact at Silverstone.

These revelations shed new light on Verstappen's remarkable performances during that crucial season.

Verstappen's invisible battle

In a candid interview with Red Bull's official publication, The Red Bulletin, Verstappen revealed the extent of his post-crash struggles.

"Since my Silverstone crash, I've struggled with visibility problems, especially on undulating circuits or those with lots of advertising boards on the side of the track,"

he admitted.

The effects were particularly severe during the 2021 United States Grand Prix, a race that proved pivotal in Verstappen's championship campaign.

"In this race, I wasn't just fighting against Lewis, but also against blurred images,"

Verstappen explained.

"It was like driving a speedboat at 300 km/h!"

The severity of these issues caught many by surprise, given Verstappen's outward composure and continued strong performances.

"I've never said this before, but it was so bad for a few laps that I seriously considered turning the car off,"

he confessed, highlighting the gravity of his condition.

Overcoming adversity

Despite these challenges, Verstappen's resilience shone through. He credits his focus on breathing techniques as crucial in maintaining his composure, especially with Hamilton applying relentless pressure.

"The only thing that helped was to concentrate on my breathing with Lewis breathing down my neck,"

Verstappen recalled.

This revelation adds a new dimension to what was already considered one of Verstappen's most impressive victories.

The win in Austin proved vital in his championship fight, demonstrating the Dutchman's ability to overcome not just his on-track rivals, but also personal physical challenges.

The Silverstone flashpoint

The crash that precipitated these issues occurred during the opening lap of the 2021 British Grand Prix.

A high-speed collision between Verstappen and Hamilton at Copse corner sent the Red Bull driver careening into the barriers, resulting in a 51G impact.

The incident sparked intense controversy, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner vehemently criticizing Hamilton's move.

"For me, it's very clear: Lewis has stuck a wheel up the inside of one of the fastest corners on this world championship,"

Horner stated at the time.

"You know you don't do that here."

Horner's concerns extended beyond the immediate race implications, emphasizing the potential danger of such incidents.

"Thank God we haven't had a driver that's been seriously injured or worse today,"

he added, underscoring the gravity of the situation.