Lewis Hamilton may have one less challenge in his bid for an eighth World Championship, as Juan Pablo Montoya suggests Max Verstappen won’t be a major obstacle this season.
The former F1 driver believes Red Bull is unlikely to dominate following design concerns raised by Adrian Newey.
Red Bull’s longtime design mastermind, Newey, is set to leave in early 2025, shifting his focus to the RB17 hypercar.
His departure coincides with the team’s growing struggles on track, particularly with the RB20’s handling issues.
Newey’s Warnings Ignored
Red Bull introduced a problematic floor upgrade last season, worsening their car’s balance. Newey later admitted that he had spotted warning signs, but his concerns were largely dismissed.
“I think, Red Bull, from what I could see… the 2024 car, and through the very last stages of ’23 as well, I would say, started to become more difficult to drive,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
While Verstappen adapted, Sergio Perez struggled significantly. Even Verstappen’s 10-race winless streak from Austria to Mexico highlighted Red Bull’s decline, their worst run since 2020.
Montoya’s Verdict on Red Bull’s Chances
Montoya doubts Red Bull, now led by Pierre Waché, will have a strong start this year. This could open the door for Hamilton, now with Ferrari, to capitalize on their struggles.
“Max Verstappen is not going to be Lewis’s problem this year,” Montoya said.
He noted that when a team starts questioning its fundamental approach, recovery becomes difficult. “That hole can be very deep, that’s the problem,” he warned.
Last season, Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title, but Red Bull lost the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren. With Ferrari also surpassing them, their dominance appears to be under serious threat.