The 2021 F1 season was indeed a critical season in which Mercedes and Red Bull fired speculative thoughts on each other. And that war lasted until the very last race of the campaign in Abu Dhabi. But mostly it was the name Mercedes that made the headlines.
DISPLAY
The article continues below this ad
Red Bull stayed relaxed until the summer break, as Max Verstappen looked clearly superior to Lewis Hamilton at the time. Then came the turn, however, which upset the Milton Keynes outfit as they began looking for ways to demoralize their rivals through allegations of illegality.
Formula 1 F1 – Mexican Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – Head of the Red Bull Driver Development Program Helmut Marko with Sergio Perez from Red Bull REUTERS / Andres Stapff
The verbal accusations peaked over the GP weekend in Brazil when Red Bull noticed something on Hamilton’s rear wing. And that was the only time that their allegations were positive when the 7-time world champion was disqualified from qualifying.
DISPLAY
The article continues below this ad
In addition, Red Bull’s suspicions were limited not only to Hamilton’s rear wing, but also to his engine, which suddenly seemed dominant. Protests threatened against the rear wing and engine, but finally the heat subsided.
View story: Lewis Hamilton’s biggest F1 crashes
Red Bull F1 advisor admits Mercedes moved within limits
Weeks after the end of the season, Red Bull F1 advisor Dr. Helmut Marko admits that Mercedes played within the limits throughout the season.
“Well, I’m sure everything was legal in the races to Brazil,” he said, according to Motorsport Total. “The way Hamilton flew by us was a unique situation. All maximum speed measurements were then again within the framework.
DISPLAY
The article continues below this ad
Formula 1 F1 – Brazilian Grand Prix – Jose Carlos Pace Circuit, Sao Paulo, Brazil – November 14th 2021 Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton celebrates victory REUTERS / Amanda Perobelli
Marko also admitted that the Mercedes engine in the back of Hamilton’s car was never illegal, just at its best. Together with the conditions, the engine fitted the car perfectly, making for an ecstatic pace. “Everything fits together perfectly with this engine, we know that too.
“But it was just amazing, there are six Mercedes-powered vehicles and only Hamilton had such a miracle weapon. But that’s the way it is and we don’t want to blame anything, ”he concluded.
DISPLAY
The article continues below this ad
Overall, the speculation is finally over! Neither Mercedes nor Red Bull have exceeded the limit at any point in the 2021 season. So will the two teams continue to push their limits in the coming season? We will know in time.
DIVE DEEPER
Did you enjoy reading this article? Download our exclusive app for 24×7 coverage, latest memes and social media banter. Click here to download.
