Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has sharply criticized Red Bull Racing for allowing Max Verstappen to pursue his GT3 ambitions, citing excessive risk-taking.
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While the four-time world champion is experiencing a complicated start to the 2026 season with Red Bull and openly displays his disagreement with the new regulations, he is also making a name for himself in the GT3 world.
But after the tragic death of Finnish veteran Juha Miettinen last weekend during qualifying for the upcoming 24 Hours of Nürburgring, Montoya believes Red Bull must show firmness and prohibit its star driver from participating in such events.
Too much dependence
For the Colombian, the mere fact that Verstappen is allowed to drive a GT3 is a sign of weakness at the top of the team. While the Dutchman’s forays in 2026 have so far led more to disqualifications than successes, it is primarily the physical risk that worries Montoya.
“I have a question about that,” he said on his podcast. “What happened is terrible. Do you think Red Bull will review the permissions they give Max to race in these cars? No, because they are afraid of losing him.”
A strong accusation: according to him, the team is so dependent on its champion that it would have given up protecting its own interests.
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A worrying accident…
Asked about the possibility of a total ban, Montoya was categorical: “100%. No, 200%. He could have an accident, break a leg or an arm.”
Beyond safety, Montoya also emphasizes the economic dimension. In Formula 1, a driver like Verstappen represents colossal value in terms of results and image, and Red Bull, according to him, would be taking an unnecessary risk: “The money that Red Bull has invested in him should be enough to say: ‘We gave you this opportunity, but with this accident, we are reconsidering the situation and believe that this should not happen again.'”
A free warning
Drawing on his own experience, Montoya recalls that his teams imposed strict limits on him to preserve his physical condition: “Several times in my career, I was invited to drive rally cars. I would have loved to, but I was never allowed to. You invest in a driver – a big investment – so you have to protect him.”
As Verstappen continues to explore his activities outside F1, a question remains: will Red Bull continue to give him total freedom, or will this warning push the team to regain control?
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