Red Bull employee reflects on Verstappen’s ‘worst crash’ at Silverstone – Max Verstappen’s meteoric rise to the top of Formula One is one of the most remarkable stories in modern motorsport. Known for his exceptional talent and fierce competitiveness, the Dutchman has earned his place among the sport’s legends with four consecutive world championships. While Verstappen’s driving prowess is the headline act, Red Bull Racing’s success is a testament to the seamless synergy between driver and team, including the crucial efforts of the engineers behind the scenes.
Red Bull engineer Ed Hemsworth recently recounted one of the most challenging moments of Verstappen’s career – a highlight of the 2021 season at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. That moment, marked by a spectacular and controversial crash, is still etched in the minds of those who witnessed it.
The Battle of 2021: Verstappen vs. Hamilton
The 2021 Formula One season was a spectacle unlike any other, with an intense rivalry between Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
Both drivers were at the top of their game, delivering thrilling performances week after week. The competition extended beyond the track, fueling debate among fans, pundits and teams. Every race felt like a chess match, with the championship hanging in the balance.
At Silverstone, one of the most iconic tracks on the calendar, the tension boiled over. On the opening lap, Verstappen and Hamilton were locked in a fierce wheel-to-wheel battle. The confrontation came to a head at Copse, where Hamilton attempted to overtake Verstappen on the inside.
The move resulted in contact between the front wing of Hamilton’s car and the right rear wheel of Verstappen’s Red Bull. The impact sent Verstappen into the barriers at high speed, ending his race and sparking an outpouring of reaction from the F1 community.
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A rookie’s perspective
For Ed Hemsworth, a relative newcomer to the Red Bull Racing team at the time, the crash was a baptism by fire. Reflecting on the incident in an interview with *Motorsport.com*, Hemsworth said, “I was still a rookie and didn’t fully understand how everything worked in the races. But I had to learn it quickly because we were fighting with Mercedes.”
The Silverstone crash left a lasting impression on Hemsworth and the rest of the team.
“It was the worst crash anyone in the team had ever seen,” he admitted. The sight of Verstappen’s car crumpled and strewn across the track was a sobering reminder of the dangers of Formula One.
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A dangerous game
Hemsworth recounted the harrowing experience of recovering Verstappen’s shattered car after the crash.
“When you are sweeping up the parts of the car that your driver has just been in, you realise all too well that this is not a children’s game that we are involved in,” he said.
“It is not a computer game where you press the reset button if something goes wrong. People’s lives are at stake.”
As well as ending Verstappen’s race, the collision raised questions about the appropriateness of the penalties handed out for incidents of this magnitude. Hamilton, who was found to be predominantly at fault by the stewards, received a ten-second time penalty but went on to win the race. For Verstappen and Red Bull, the result was a bitter pill to swallow.
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The ripple effect
The fallout from the crash went far beyond Silverstone. Hamilton’s victory significantly reduced the points gap at the top of the standings and set the stage for one of the most dramatic title battles in F1 history. Every race thereafter was thrilling, with both drivers pushing their cars – and themselves – to the limit.
The season culminated in an unprecedented showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen and Hamilton went into the finale level on points, a scenario that hadn’t happened for decades. The race itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Hamilton dominating for much of the day.
However, a late safety car intervention gave Verstappen a golden opportunity to attack on fresh tyres. In a controversial final lap, Verstappen overtook Hamilton to claim his first world championship.
Redemption and dominance
The heartbreak of Silverstone in 2021 became a defining chapter in Verstappen’s career, but it also marked the start of an era of dominance. In 2022 and 2023, Verstappen and Red Bull reasserted their supremacy, winning back-to-back championships with relative ease.
However, the 2024 season brought new challenges. Red Bull faced stiff competition as their performance declined from previous years.
Despite the setbacks, Verstappen showed resilience and determination to fight his way to a fourth consecutive title. His ability to adapt to changing circumstances and squeeze every ounce of performance out of his car cemented his reputation as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
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Legacy of Silverstone
For Hemsworth and the Red Bull team, the lessons of Silverstone remain deeply ingrained. The crash underlined the razor-thin margins that define F1 and the immense stakes involved in every decision. It also highlighted the critical role of the team behind the scenes, working tirelessly to provide their driver with the tools to succeed.
Looking back, the incident at Silverstone is a testament to Verstappen’s resilience and the unwavering support of his team. It was a moment that could have derailed a championship campaign, yet it became a catalyst for growth and eventual triumph. Today, Verstappen’s legacy is defined not only by his victories, but also by his ability to overcome adversity – both on and off the track.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
