Juan Pablo Montoya has said that Max Verstappen’s fierce approach to racing means the Dutchman would rather collide with a rival than let them pass.
The Colombian, who competed in F1 from 2001 to 2006, pointed to Verstappen’s on-track behavior as evidence of this mindset, leaving fans and pundits stunned at times.
Last year, Red Bull struggled to maintain their previous dominance, forcing Verstappen into tighter scraps than in his two earlier title-winning seasons, which they had cruised through.
This shift brought more wheel-to-wheel action, especially with McLaren’s Lando Norris, who emerged as Verstappen’s main rival for the drivers’ championship.
Verstappen clinched his fourth crown, but not without controversy—some argued that his aggressive moves tarnished his image, even though many rank this title as his finest yet.
Montoya, speaking to OnlineCassino, said the clashes were no surprise given Verstappen’s style. “Max doesn’t like losing,” the 49-year-old explained. “He’s the kind of guy who’d rather crash than let you beat him. We saw it late last year—things he did shocked people. We were all asking, ‘Why did he do that?'”
The seven-time Grand Prix winner also drew a comparison to Verstappen’s 2021 duel with Lewis Hamilton. Back then, Montoya noted, fans cheered Verstappen’s no-compromise attitude as he took on the Mercedes dynasty. “When he was up against Lewis and taking no prisoners, everyone loved it—‘Finally, someone’s standing up to Hamilton,'” Montoya said.
“Now it’s flipped. When the winner pulls something questionable, they get called out. That’s new.”
Verstappen’s approach divided opinions, but it delivered results. Red Bull’s star held off Norris and the chasing pack, securing the title despite the McLaren drivers pushing them hard. Posts on X echoed this tension, with one fan writing, “Max’s moves were wild last season—genius or reckless, depending on who you ask.”
The 2025 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, where the teams will tackle 58 laps of the 5.278-kilometer Albert Park circuit. Fans are already buzzing—will Verstappen and Red Bull keep their edge, or will McLaren and others turn the tables?
