“It was very annoying”: Red Bull Insider sheds light on 2021 rivalry beyond Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton

Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas revealed that the rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton also extended to the pit crews of both teams. The two best drivers in the sport produced an all-time classic title battle in the 2021 season as they went hammer and tongs against each other from race one.

The intense battle on the track caused many thrilling and controversial moments that enthralled and captured the attention of the world of motorsports. But the rivalry was not limited to the on-track action, with even the team principals of Red Bull and Mercedes getting involved and regularly throwing shade at each other.

While appearing on the Road To Success Podcast, Nicholas, who is the Senior Power Unit Assembly Technician for the Austrian team, shed light on the rivalry and "annoying" moments between the crews.

Mentioning one such moment as to how the Mercedes pit crew wouldn't move the pit lane cables during pit stops, Nicholas said (as quoted by GPBlog):

“In 2021, Mercedes didn’t do that anymore. Halfway through the year, they just left the cables hanging to make it harder for us. It was really annoying because the drivers have to drive around those cables and that makes it harder to get into the garage.”

The driver's title ultimately went the way of Max Verstappen as the Dutch got the better of Lewis Hamilton in controversial fashion. However, Mercedes were able to edge Red Bull in the Constructor's Championship.

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Lewis Hamilton shares his emotions on his controversial battle with Max Verstappen in 2021

Former Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said that he was "at peace" with the outcome of the 2021 title battle against Max Verstappen but felt that he was robbed of the title.

In his interview with GQ Magazine in April this year, the seven-time F1 world champion reflected on the 2021 season result and credited his father for his support:

"Was I robbed? Obviously. I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me. And we'd gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs. And the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, and keep your head high."

Claiming that going up to congratulate his Dutch rival was a 'defining moment', Hamilton added:

"And I obviously went to congratulate Max, and not realizing the impact that that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there's a mini-me watching. This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it. If I see a clip of (the race) it, I still feel it, but I'm at peace with it."

In the following years after the moment, Lewis Hamilton could only manage to win two races in three years whilst Max Verstappen won the driver's championships in each subsequent season.