Juan Pablo Montoya names the driver who ‘should’ actually be Max V… read more
Red Bull Racing is once again at a crossroads concerning its driver lineup, and former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya has added fuel to the ongoing debate by naming the driver he believes should be partnering Max Verstappen instead of Yuki Tsunoda. As Verstappen embarks on his tenth season in Formula 1, the team’s long-standing issue of securing a consistently competitive teammate for their three-time world champion remains unresolved. While Tsunoda has made notable progress with Racing Bulls, Montoya suggests he is not the right choice for Red Bull’s main squad. According to the Colombian, there is another driver more deserving of the coveted second seat alongside Verstappen.
Montoya, known for his outspoken views and analytical approach to F1 dynamics, recently voiced his opinion that Liam Lawson should be the one racing for Red Bull alongside Verstappen. Lawson impressed during his stand-in appearances in 2023 and has continued to shine as a reserve and development driver. Despite his evident talent, Lawson has remained sidelined while the team continues to evaluate Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo through their affiliate outfit. Montoya argues that Red Bull is overlooking the long-term benefits of backing a younger, faster, and more adaptable driver like Lawson, who could evolve into a serious support system for Verstappen—or even a successor.
Red Bull’s driver dilemma has become increasingly complex as Sergio Pérez’s inconsistencies continue and Tsunoda’s growth, while encouraging, hasn’t fully convinced the higher-ups that he’s ready for the senior team. Tsunoda’s temperament, though improved, is still considered a liability by some within the paddock. Moreover, while his qualifying performances have gotten stronger, he still struggles in races where strategy execution and consistency are paramount—areas where Red Bull needs reliability. Montoya believes that Red Bull is being too cautious and political, rather than choosing purely based on racing merit.
Montoya’s comments also reignite the conversation around how Red Bull manages its junior driver pipeline. For a brand that boasts of developing young talent, its hesitation to promote Lawson, who has arguably done everything right, seems contradictory. His performances for AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) when he filled in showcased maturity, pace, and racecraft well beyond his experience level. He even outperformed Tsunoda and Ricciardo during that short stint. Montoya emphasizes that this should have been enough to warrant a full-time promotion, not a relegation to the sidelines.
This driver debate is especially crucial as Red Bull prepares for a post-Verstappen era. While the Dutch driver remains committed for now, uncertainty looms beyond 2026 amid whispers of potential moves to Mercedes or even a surprise exit from the sport if Red Bull’s competitiveness wanes. In that context, having a strong, young second driver isn’t just about supporting Max—it’s about succession planning. Montoya believes Lawson fits that vision perfectly, describing him as “ready, sharp, and hungry,” the traits Red Bull once prized when they promoted Verstappen at just 17 years old.
Furthermore, Red Bull’s internal dynamics play a role. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have not always agreed on driver decisions, and Tsunoda’s place in the team has often been linked to Red Bull’s engine partners Honda, which may be shifting allegiance to Aston Martin in 2026. If that partnership dissolves, Tsunoda’s relevance within the Red Bull framework could diminish rapidly. Montoya hints that such politically motivated decisions could be detrimental in the long run if it means sidelining genuine talent like Lawson.
In conclusion, Juan Pablo Montoya’s candid view adds pressure on Red Bull’s management to rethink its strategy. While Tsunoda remains a promising driver, the time may have come for Red Bull to make a bold move—one that aligns more with performance data and future planning than brand loyalty or external partnerships. Whether Red Bull heeds Montoya’s advice or continues with its current trajectory remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking, and the world of F1 rarely waits for indecision.
