Montoya gives Red Bull advice: 'Go after this driver, not Colapinto!'
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Each day, rumours come out who could become Max Verstappen's teammate next season at Red Bull Racing. Juan Pablo Montoya also threw his suggestion into the hat, coming up with a remarkable solution for the Austrians.
Montoya: 'Don't put Colapinto, put Sainz next to Verstappen'
Rookie Franco Colapinto could impress after replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams this season. The Argentinian however is yet to find a seat for next year as Williams already had two drivers secured by the time he joined, and has been linked with Red Bull among others. However, that would require the Austrians to pay a transfer fee. According to Juan Pablo Montoya, if Red Bull were to pay for a driver, it would not be him, but Carlos Sainz instead.
"If I were Christian Horner, I would go to Williams and say: 'I know you are happy with Colapinto. You can keep him, if you give me Sainz.' Why take the risk of replacing Checo, an experienced Formula One driver who has won races, to put a rookie next to Max Verstappen?" Montoya told W Radio Colombia.
"Max doesn't make mistakes and he always performs. Personally, if I were Christian [Horner], I would tell them to let Colapinto grow. Knowing Carlos, he has told Williams that he has signed for them, but if he does not win or achieve podium finishes, he can leave if he gets another offer," the former F1 driver continued.
"They could say to Williams: 'You can lose Carlos now or in a year's time. Now you get money, in a year you don't.' If it comes to that, that's the move I would make if I were Red Bull. I wouldn't go for Colapinto, I would go for Carlos," the seven-time Grand Prix winner continued.
Montoya thinks Perez will stay for '25
According to Montoya, Sergio Perez will remain at Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season, citing Daniel Ricciardo to make his point. "I think Checo will still be on the grid next year. I don't think he will just give up. The difference with Ricciardo is that Checo makes a lot of money," the Colombian continued.
"He gets a lot of criticism and a lot of people want him gone. Whether he deserves that, I don't know. He hasn't done badly. You don't know what happens behind closed doors, but a lot of people are trying to get another driver in the car. For Colapinto, this is his only chance to be on the grid next year: he can stay at Williams if Red Bull takes over Sainz," Montoya concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder
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