Christian Horner admits that Max Verstappen was lucky to win the 2021 world championship
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Verstappen and Christian Horner at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP (Image credit: Motorsport Week)
The captivating story of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which took place last year, continues to generate interest as new information emerges. One intriguing account, shared by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revolves around Max Verstappen. In Formula 1, drivers typically communicate concerns to their team via radio. However, Horner narrated an incident where Verstappen chose not to disclose crucial information, potentially altering the result of the race.
Christian Horner proceeded to reveal the information that Verstappen had kept to himself. He stated that Verstappen had experienced a severe cramp in his left leg. Verstappen told him he didn’t mean to overtake Lewis Hamilton on that turn. Max conveyed his decision to seize the opportunity and hope for brake responsiveness.
Horner revealed the information Verstappen withheld. “He got a massively bad cramp in his left leg. He said, ‘I couldn’t feel my braking foot. So he said, ‘I didn’t mean to overtake Lewis there (on that turn), but I just went for the gap and hoped I could feel the brakes’.”
Christian Horner explains Max Verstappen’s secret struggle at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Verstappen, in the final lap of the Abu Dhabi GP, trailed Lewis Hamilton closely after a contentious safety car phase. Utilizing fresh soft tires, he overtook Hamilton at Turn 5, securing his inaugural championship triumph. Verstappen’s decisive overtake, which led to his inaugural world championship, was unplanned. This account, shared by Christian Horner, adds an extra layer of surrealism to the events in Abu Dhabi.
During an interview with Cambridge Union, Horner highlighted a fascinating aspect of driving behind the safety car. He explained that due to the drivers’ seated position in the car, their feet are approximately 6 inches higher than their backside. Inactivity during this period may cause blood to drain from their legs, resulting in the potential for severe cramping.
“While they were going around behind the safety car, because the way the drivers sit in the car, their feet are 6 inches higher than their backside,” Horner revealed. “Sometimes the blood drains out of their legs if they’re not keeping busy and you can get a really bad cramp.”
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