Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has expressed doubts about the future of Red Bull’s engine. From 2026, in line with the new engine regulations, the team will be developing its own power unit in collaboration with Ford. Montoya warns that the Austrians could potentially miss the mark and end up in the midfield. Is it time for Max Verstappen to pack his bags?
“Red Bull will have a power unit next year that no one knows how good it will be,” Juan Pablo Montoya told Instant Casino. “They could end up where Williams is now. If Red Bull actually ends up in the midfield, Max Verstappen should question whether he wants to stay with the team. This consideration only becomes more significant with all the clauses that allow him to terminate his contract early.”
Verstappen with Russell or Antonelli?
The Colombian finds it difficult to say where Verstappen should go. “The tricky thing is,” Montoya continued, “McLaren has just re-signed Oscar Piastri.” Mercedes seems, based on all the praise from Toto Wolff in 2024, one of the most obvious destinations for the Dutchman. But is there still room for the four-time champion? “Would Wolff fire Antonelli to accommodate Verstappen?”, Montoya wondered. “Or would you fire Russell? I don’t know how quickly that decision would be made.”
Montoya explained that if Verstappen moves to Mercedes, the driver he replaces would likely go to Red Bull. “In other words, if Verstappen chooses Mercedes, I think a Mercedes driver will go to Red Bull,” he proposed. “The question is who gets let go. George Russell has been a Mercedes man for a long time. They certainly don’t only have eyes for Antonelli, although he has done very well as a rookie. So the question remains: do you pair Verstappen with Russell or Antonelli? Or do you not offer Verstappen a contract at all and stick with the current line-up? Toto Wolff was very keen to have him last year, but is that still the case? I’m not so sure…”
