The Formula 1 world remains fascinated by the epic battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in 2021, one of the most intense title fights in the history of sport. Now Bradley Scanes, the former trainer of Verstappen, has made a remarkable unveiling about an unusual tactic that the Dutchman used to prepare for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. This race, on the brand new Jeddah Corniche Circuit, was a crucial moment in the battle for the world championship. Scanes’ story offers a unique glimpse into the dedication and smart approach to Verstappen, who even surprised the seven -time world champion Hamilton.
The 2021 season was a roller coaster of emotions, with Verstappen and Hamilton who did not give each other an inch space. With only two races to go, the drivers arrived in Saudi Arabia for the very first race on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. This street circuit, with its high speeds and narrow walls, was a huge challenge. While many drivers had trouble getting a grip on the circuit during the first free practice, Verstappen excelled. Time and again he set the fastest sector times, which according to Scanes was no coincidence. “Max is often seen as a natural talent, but there is a reason why he immediately drives purple sectors in the first free practice, while others are still building,” Scanes said in the high performance podcast.
The key to Verstappens impressive performance was in his unparalleled work ethic. While Red Bull Racing did not yet have a simulation of the Jeddah circuit in their simulator, Verstappen took matters into his own hands. Scanes revealed that the Dutchman found someone online who could build a detailed version of the circuit for his personal simulator. “Max had detected someone online to build the circuit so that he could use it in his own simulator,” said Scanes. This proactive approach enabled Verstappen to practice for hours before putting a foot on the real circuit. It illustrates the determination and the eye for detail that distinguishes him as champions.
Despite this preparation, the race in Jeddah was not without problems. The weekend was characterized by chaos, with red flags and a controversial confrontation between Verstappen and Hamilton. During the race on LAP 37, Verstappen made an illegal catch -up action on Hamilton. He was instructed to give the position back, but delayed so abruptly that Hamilton collided. This incident yielded Verstappen a time penalty of ten seconds, and although he had conquered pole position with an almost legendary qualifying round, he lost the race through a crash in the last corner of Q3. Scanes noted: “His qualifying round, before he hit the wall, could have been one of the best of all time.”
Although Verstappen did not win the race in Jeddah, his preparation was a harbinger of his final triumph. He seized his chance in the season finale in Abu Dhabi. With a controversial restart after a safety car phase, Verstappen passed Hamilton in the final round and conquered his first world title. This victory wrote history and marked the beginning of Verstappens dominance in Formula 1, with three more titles that followed.
Scanes’ revelation not only underlines Verstappens dedication, but also his ability to think outside the beaten track. By looking for a solution for the lack of simulation options at Red Bull, he showed a winner’s mentality that goes beyond pure driving skills. This story adds a new layer to the legend of 2021, a season that is still discussed by fans and analysts.
With the Grand Prix of the Netherlands approaching, where Verstappen for his home crowd racet, his work ethics remains an inspiration. The “Oranjezee” will undoubtedly cheer for their hero, who has proven that Successjustin depends not only on talent, but also on smart and sometimes insane preparation. Hamilton could be surprised by Verstappen’s approach, the Formula 1 world now knows that the Dutchman always goes one step further to win.
