Juan Pablo Montoya has praised Max Verstappen’s overtake on Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix, describing the move as “crazy” while highlighting the Dutchman’s ability to immediately recognise an opportunity. The former Formula 1 driver was also pleased to see Lewis Hamilton return to competitive form during his first season with Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton ended the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season with his maiden Ferrari victory, secured in Barcelona, and second place in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship standings, 50 points behind leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli. His performances in the Ferrari SF-26 have represented a significant return to form, although several penalties in recent races have cost him points and allowed Andrea Kimi Antonelli to enter the summer break with a sizeable advantage.
Juan Pablo Montoya pleased by Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari resurgence
Lewis Hamilton has rediscovered both speed and confidence behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26 during the opening half of the campaign. His Barcelona victory was the clearest indication of that improvement, while his position in the championship has kept him firmly involved in the title picture despite the points lost through recent penalties.
Juan Pablo Montoya, who was known for his own aggressive and uncompromising approach during his Formula 1 career, welcomed the seven-time world champion’s return to the front of the field.
“Seeing Hamilton reborn is nice, I’m happy for him,” Juan Pablo Montoya told Betpack.
Lewis Hamilton’s strong 2026 campaign has also added further significance to Ferrari’s championship ambitions, with the Briton attempting to reduce the deficit to Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the season moves into its second half. Ferrari’s ability to maximise both of its drivers could also prove important in the Constructors’ Championship battle, an issue explored in more detail in Ferrari’s fight to maximise Lewis Hamilton in the constructors’ title race.
Montoya hails Max Verstappen overtake on Lewis Hamilton
One of the most striking moments of Lewis Hamilton’s Hungarian Grand Prix came when Max Verstappen passed him on track. It was exactly the type of aggressive but controlled manoeuvre likely to attract the attention of Juan Pablo Montoya, who was particularly impressed by how quickly Max Verstappen identified the opportunity.
“Verstappen’s overtake was crazy,” Juan Pablo Montoya added. “He realised Hamilton had braked too early and then he went for it. It wasn’t a reckless move, and he didn’t even run wide. Hamilton was completely caught by surprise. Max is like that, you can like him or not, but behind the wheel he’s phenomenal.”
For Juan Pablo Montoya, the key detail was that Max Verstappen’s aggression did not come at the expense of control. The Red Bull driver recognised that Lewis Hamilton had left an opening under braking and committed to the move without running beyond the limits of the corner.
The battle came during a Hungarian Grand Prix weekend in which Lewis Hamilton remained one of the central figures in the championship fight. His strong record at the Hungaroring had already generated considerable interest before the event, particularly after his improving performances with Ferrari during the first half of the season. A closer look at Lewis Hamilton’s Hungarian Grand Prix record provides further context for the expectations surrounding him in Budapest.
Hamilton remains second as Antonelli leads into the summer break
Despite his return to competitive form, Lewis Hamilton entered Formula 1’s summer break 50 points behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver has built a significant championship advantage, helped in part by the penalties that have affected Lewis Hamilton across several recent race weekends.
Mercedes has so far resisted the idea of immediately giving Andrea Kimi Antonelli preferential treatment in the title fight, with Toto Wolff maintaining an equal approach between the team’s drivers. The situation could become increasingly important during the second half of the championship, particularly if the battle at the top begins to tighten. More detail on Mercedes’ position can be found in the analysis of why Toto Wolff is not yet ready to favour Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
For Juan Pablo Montoya, however, the Hungarian Grand Prix also offered another reminder of Max Verstappen’s exceptional racecraft. While opinions about the Dutchman’s aggressive style may differ, the Colombian believes his ability behind the wheel remains beyond doubt.
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