Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen approached his battle with Lewis Hamilton in a far more calculated way during the Canadian Grand Prix, with Red Bull’s need for crucial championship points influencing the Dutchman’s decision-making.
A clean fight between old rivals in Montreal
Max Verstappen and Red Bull secured their first podium finish of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Canada, capitalising on strategic mistakes from McLaren at the start and George Russell’s technical retirement.
The result handed the four-time world champion a valuable top-three finish, but what stood out to many observers was how controlled his on-track battle with Lewis Hamilton appeared. When attacked by the Ferrari driver, Max Verstappen defended firmly but without overstepping the mark, and when the opportunity came to fight back, he avoided overly aggressive moves.
Juan Pablo Montoya’s interpretation
Juan Pablo Montoya believes there was a clear reason behind that measured approach.
“Now I’m going to say something nice about Max so everyone will think I’m kissing his a** — even though that’s not the case at all,” the Colombian joked in comments reported by Sports Betting, referencing the recent verbal exchange between himself and Max Verstappen.
“Max didn’t overdo the counterattack on Hamilton by trying to push him off the track like he normally would. He had two chances to attack into Turn 1, Hamilton shut the door, and Verstappen didn’t fully commit because he knew Red Bull needed the points and needed a strong result.”
Red Bull’s current reality has changed the approach
Juan Pablo Montoya suggested that Red Bull’s more difficult competitive situation compared to previous dominant seasons has naturally changed the level of risk Max Verstappen is willing to take: “When you have a car that wins every weekend, you can afford to retire from one race because you know you’ll be fighting for victory again in the next one,” the former Formula 1 driver added – “In Red Bull’s current situation, championship points are fundamental, just as delivering strong results for the team and keeping morale high is essential.” – he pointed out.
Juan Pablo Montoya’s comments underline how Formula 1’s competitive balance can reshape even the instincts of the sport’s most aggressive racers. With Red Bull no longer enjoying clear dominance, every point has become significantly more valuable — and that may be influencing how Max Verstappen chooses his battles.
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