Juan Pablo Montoya Warns Max Verstappen of Potential Championship Drought
Former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya has shared a cautionary message regarding Max Verstappen’s future in the sport. He suggests that Verstappen might face a championship drought similar to what Lewis Hamilton experienced after the 2022 regulation changes. Montoya’s insights come as concerns grow about Red Bull’s performance under the impending 2026 technical regulations.
Montoya observed a significant distinction for the Milton Keynes-based team: Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has enjoyed dominance since his controversial win over Hamilton in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, Red Bull’s current trajectory raises questions about their competitiveness moving forward, especially as they recently slipped to fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Hamilton’s experience serves as a valuable warning for Verstappen. The British driver achieved six of his seven world championships during Mercedes’ reign in the turbo-hybrid era, yet he has only secured two Grand Prix victories since the 2022 regulation changes. Mercedes struggled to adapt to the new ground effect cars, which marked the end of Hamilton’s remarkable championship streak. This serves as a reminder of how critical car performance is in Formula One, regardless of a driver’s talent.
Currently, Verstappen is on track to secure his fifth consecutive title in 2025, with strong competition from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. However, Red Bull’s declining performance echoes Mercedes’ downward spiral prior to their loss of dominance, raising concerns about whether Verstappen’s success could be short-lived when the 2026 regulations are introduced.
Montoya emphasized the importance of Adrian Newey’s absence for Red Bull’s future. "The question is the 2026 rules," he stated in an interview with CasinoHawks. "It’s not about how good Max is. Lewis won seven titles, but he was in the right car for six of them." He pointed out that the significant question remains: "Can Red Bull still dominate under the new rules without Newey? This will be the first time they face new regulations without him, and that’s the million-dollar question."
Montoya also suggested that Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, may have a deeper understanding of these challenges than his son. "I think that’s probably more in Jos’ mind than in Max’s," he said. "Jos has been around longer and knows how crucial it is to have the right person building the car."
If Red Bull fails to provide championship-winning machinery, Montoya offered specific advice for Verstappen’s future moves. "Honestly, if I were Max and thinking about 2026/2027, I would want to be with Mercedes," he remarked. "If I could choose anywhere to go, it would be Mercedes." Montoya also identified Aston Martin as a compelling long-term option, suggesting, "If I were looking at 2027 through 2030, I think Aston could be the place to be."
In summary, as the 2026 regulations approach, Max Verstappen faces an uncertain future. The insights from Juan Pablo Montoya serve as a reminder of the ever-changing dynamics in Formula One and the importance of maintaining competitive machinery to secure championships.
