Max Verstappen 'pressure' theory raised over Red Bull F1 future

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has backed Max Verstappen to continue with Red Bull despite his ongoing frustrations with the team.

Red Bull has endured a difficult 2026 campaign thus far, with the RB22 consistently the slowest of the top four cars and the only team in that battle yet to take a grand prix win.

Verstappen has performance-related exit clauses in his contract which would allow him to leave the team prior to the expiry of his contract in 2028.

But Montoya believes Verstappen's latest objections to the car's performance is a strategic play to put pressure on the team to improve in a similar fashion to its mid-season turnaround in 2025.

"I don't think Max wants to leave Red Bull," Montoya told F1. 

"You're in one of the best F1 teams, probably the best team in the last 20 years, with Mercedes. You're in the right place. 

“Yes, it's changed because a lot of people have left, but they're still performing. Last year, they nearly came back and won the championship.

“I think he wants to see that from the team, and it's just about putting pressure on them.”

Verstappen has been linked to Mercedes in the past, while more recently, McLaren has been touted as a potential option should he leave Red Bull.

12-time F1 podium finisher Stefan Johansson believes there would be no shortage of opportunities for Verstappen should he opt to leave the team.

“I can understand the frustration. If you don’t have the car, you’re not going to win,” he said. 

“There’s never been a World Champion that didn’t have the best car. That’s the reality of it. 

“He’s still creating miracles most of the time, and he’s still unbelievably good, obviously. I’m sure there's no shortage of options [for him]! 

“I think every team would give their right arm to have him in the car.”