Montoya: Lawson 'could be the next Max' and deserves a Red Bull seat

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Liam Lawson has what it takes to succeed Max Verstappen at Red Bull, saying the Racing Bulls driver is "starting to show that he could be the next Max." The claim lands weeks after Verstappen branded Lawson's driving "rather unwise" following their contact in Mexico City practice.

Why it matters:

Lawson's future has been the paddock's most debated midfield storyline. With Red Bull's second seat under constant scrutiny, an endorsement from a seven-time grand prix winner carries weight — particularly one that recasts a flashpoint as evidence of growth rather than recklessness.

The details:

• The flashpoint: the pair made contact through the Foro Sol stadium section in FP2, scattering debris and triggering a red flag. Stewards handed both drivers a one-place grid drop and penalty points.
• Verstappen's reading was blunt — unwise behaviour from a driver still fighting for his future at the time.
• Montoya's counter, on his MontoyAS podcast: Lawson is "always the best driver in the midfield," and his refusal to be pushed aside shows development, not naivety.
• The numbers: Lawson has outscored the entire Alpine team on his own this season.
• Teammate test: Montoya argues Lawson's race speed has generally been stronger than Arvid Lindblad's, questioning any shuffle that would have squeezed him out.

Between the lines:

The timing matters. Lawson is already confirmed at Racing Bulls for 2027, so Montoya's comments are less about this winter's market and more about framing him for the next opening at the senior team. He also implied Nikola Tsolov's promotion would not have justified displacing Lawson.

What's next:

Red Bull has no reason to act yet, but the noise will follow Lawson into 2027. Keep beating the midfield alone and the question shifts from whether he deserves the seat to when he gets it.