Montoya: Red Bull is 'for sure coming' back — rivals beware

Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Red Bull is on the verge of a resurgence, warning that the Milton Keynes team is "for sure coming" back to the front. After Max Verstappen battled Lewis Hamilton to third place at the Canadian Grand Prix, Montoya saw clear signs of recovery.

Why it matters:

Red Bull has faced a tricky start to the 2026 season, struggling with an overweight car and inconsistent form. If Montoya's assessment is correct, the team could soon reclaim its spot among the frontrunners, shaking up the championship fight.

The details:

• Speaking on the F1 TV post-race show, Montoya pointed out that Red Bull's car has been overweight, but the team aims to have it fully within the weight limit by the Austrian Grand Prix (26-28 June).
• Montreal is one of the worst tracks for carrying extra weight, making the team's performance there even more encouraging. Verstappen's third place came after a tense battle with Lewis Hamilton, and both Red Bulls showed strong pace.
• "They're for sure coming," Montoya said. "They said by Austria, they're supposed to have the car completely on weight. The penalty here is huge for the weight. So they've done a really good job."
• He also noted that Isack Hadjar performed well, though both drivers struggled with tyre temperature — the tyres would cool down too much, losing grip on corner entry.

Between the lines:

Not everyone is convinced. 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve cautioned that Montreal's unusually cold temperatures may have masked Red Bull's true pace. He argued the car was running too stiffly and bouncing, but the colder track and heavier fuel load actually helped settle it. "We'll have to see once you get back into the higher temperatures," he added.

What's next:

The Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring will be a true test. If the team delivers a weight-compliant car and maintains the pace seen in Montreal, the rest of the grid should indeed beware.