Juan Pablo Montoya: Mercedes suits Max Verstappen now, but Aston Martin is the team to watch for 2027. Juan Pablo Montoya believes Mercedes is Max Verstappen’s best move for 2026.

Juan Pablo Montoya’s take on F1’s future power shifts
The F1 driver market has remained relatively quiet since the bombshell announcement in early 2024 of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. On paper, the top teams seem settled. At Mercedes, both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are technically out of contract at the end of the year, but the team’s double podium in Canada — where George Russell claimed his fourth career win — proved that the Brackley-based squad isn’t facing any driver-related concerns.

If anything, Mercedes could become a tempting destination for Max Verstappen ahead of the new 2026 regulations. However, the Dutchman doesn’t appear to be in any rush to leave Red Bull. For many drivers, the focus may simply be on observing the competitive picture in 2026 and then considering a switch for 2027.

Juan Pablo Montoya, reflecting on the evolving driver market, shared a clear opinion about which team he would bet on if he were still racing:
“Honestly, if I were Max and thinking about 2026–2027, and I could choose where to go, I’d pick Mercedes. If we’re talking from 2027 through to 2030, then I think Aston Martin could be the right team,” Juan Pablo Montoya told CasinoHawks. “Newey is exceptional. If there’s anyone who deserves a trophy for the championships won, it’s him more than anyone else. But the way Max is driving, it doesn’t look like he’s about to change teams — and I don’t think his contract allows him to just leave whenever he wants. If Verstappen did end up at Mercedes, I doubt George Russell would stay on as a number two. In any case, I wouldn’t be surprised if Russell’s contract renewal is announced in Austria or at Silverstone.” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.