Perez return handed huge BOOST in sca….read more
Ex-Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has criticized Red Bull’s decision to demote Liam Lawson after just two races, while also commenting on Sergio Perez’s removal from the team. Perez, who struggled to finish eighth in last season’s drivers’ championship, faced questions about his future in F1. Many speculated whether he would ever return to the sport. However, following Lawson’s struggles in the early part of the 2024 season alongside Max Verstappen, Perez’s performance has been reassessed, with his results proving more successful than the rookie’s.
Montoya’s remarks focus on Red Bull’s handling of both Lawson and Perez. He expressed disbelief at how quickly the team made the call to replace Lawson, suggesting that Red Bull should have given the driver more time to adjust. Montoya questioned the logic behind blaming the driver for the team’s struggles, pointing out that car and engineering issues should also be taken into account. He criticized the team’s ruthless decision-making, highlighting how they seemed to ignore potential other factors that contributed to the results.
Montoya also used this situation to reflect on Perez’s own performance, stating that the Mexican driver may not have been as at fault as previously believed. “How good was Checo Perez then?” Montoya asked, suggesting that the struggles Perez faced in his previous seasons were likely more due to the car than his driving abilities. He pointed out how people once doubted Perez, assuming he was the problem, but now with hindsight, it seems that the car was more of an issue. This perspective has helped boost Perez’s standing in the sport, with Montoya noting that Perez might still have a future in F1, particularly with the announcement that Perez is on the shortlist for a potential 2026 seat with Cadillac, which will join the F1 grid next year.
Montoya also commented on Lawson’s reputation, which has taken a hit after his brief stint at Red Bull. He mentioned how Lawson had come across as overly confident, which only added pressure on him to deliver strong performances. Montoya stated that while a certain level of arrogance is acceptable, Lawson needed to back it up with results, which didn’t happen in his short time with Red Bull. This experience, Montoya suggested, would serve as a humbling moment for Lawson, potentially giving him the chance to reassess his approach and continue his career with a more grounded perspective.
Overall, Montoya’s comments reflect a strong belief that Red Bull’s decisions have not been fully thought through and that Perez’s ability to perform, despite being removed from the team, may be a result of the car, not his
talent.
