How diplomacy between F1's heavyweights died in 2021
The convivial blitz spirit of the COVID-ravaged 2020 Formula 1 season was replaced by an escalating war between the rivalling Mercedes and Red Bull squads in 2021. Drivers' and constructors' honours were shared after a controversial Abu Dhabi finale that was an unsatisfying conclusion to their year-long sparring match
“They definitely have a true dislike for each other. It’s added to the drama. I think you do see them playing to the camera a bit from time to time.”
McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s summary may have befitted Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in 2021. But it was their respective team bosses, Christian Horner of Red Bull and Toto Wolff of Mercedes, who Brown was talking about after one of the most toxic political battles Formula 1 has seen in the past decade.
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