Juan Pablo Montoya Warns Max Verstappen of Potential Championship Drought Ahead
Former Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya has raised an important caution regarding Max Verstappen’s future in racing. He suggests that Verstappen could face a championship drought akin to Lewis Hamilton’s struggles following the regulation changes in 2022. Montoya expressed his concerns about Red Bull Racing’s competitiveness as new technical regulations set to be implemented in 2026 loom on the horizon.
Montoya pointed out a significant factor affecting Red Bull’s future: Verstappen, the four-time world champion, has enjoyed a dominating performance since his controversial victory over Hamilton in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, Red Bull’s current trajectory, which has seen them fall to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, raises questions about their ability to maintain this dominance.
Hamilton’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for Verstappen. The British driver achieved six of his seven world championships during Mercedes’ reign in the turbo-hybrid era, but has managed only two Grand Prix victories since the 2022 regulation changes. Mercedes struggled to adapt to the new ground effect cars, which ended Hamilton’s impressive championship streak. This highlights how vital car performance is in the world of Formula One, regardless of individual talent.
Currently, Verstappen is in pursuit of his fifth championship title in 2025, facing stiff competition from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. However, Red Bull’s declining performance mirrors the trajectory of Mercedes prior to their own decline, raising concerns about whether history could repeat itself with the arrival of the 2026 regulations.
Montoya underscored the significance of Adrian Newey’s absence for Red Bull’s future prospects. "The crucial question is the 2026 rules," he stated in an interview with CasinoHawks. "It’s not about how talented Max is. While Lewis won seven championships, he was in the right car for six of them."
The Colombian racing veteran emphasized that the ability of Red Bull to continue dominating under the new regulations without Newey—who has been a pivotal figure in their success—remains uncertain. "This will be the first time Red Bull approaches new regulations without Newey. That’s the million-dollar question," he added.
Montoya also suggested that Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, may be more attuned to these concerns than his son. "I believe this is likely more on Jos’ mind than Max’s. Jos has been around longer and understands the importance of having the right person designing the car," he explained.
If Red Bull fails to provide championship-winning machinery, Montoya offered insights into Verstappen’s potential future options. "If I were Max, and looking ahead to 2026 or 2027, I would want to be with Mercedes," he advised. "If I had a choice, I would definitely choose Mercedes."
Montoya also identified Aston Martin as another appealing long-term option for Verstappen. "If I were considering 2027 and beyond, Aston Martin might be the place to be," he concluded.
As the landscape of Formula One continues to evolve, all eyes will be on Verstappen and Red Bull as they navigate the challenges of upcoming regulations and strive to maintain their competitive edge.
