The former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya criticized the promotion of Yuki Tsunoda with clear words. In his opinion, Red Bull Racing should have put another driver in the cockpit next to world champion Max Verstappen.
After many years in the second row, Yuki Tsunoda gets from the Japan Grand Prix (including live on free TV at RTL) Finally the chance to prove yourself in the A team next to Max Verstappen. The 24-year-old was the logical choice after Liam Lawson was degraded. For Juan Pablo Montoya but also the wrong one.
“I would have put Isack Hadjar in the Red Bull, more as a Yuki tsunoda. He would have been my choice,” the Colombian told “Vision4sport”.
If it had been up to him, Christian Horner and Co. should have made a clear signal and should say that they promote the rookie and guarantee him the place for at least two years, said Montoya.
Formula 1: Montoya sees bitter Red Bull confession
In the current constellation, too many questions remain unanswered. “We don’t even know what the deal is with tsunoda. Over a year? Over two years? I think it applies to the entire season,” said Montoya, who only confirmed what Helmut Marko already explained. The Graz had recently pronounced a job guarantee for the rest of the year 2025.
How and where it goes on for the Japanese afterwards is still completely unclear. Red Bull and Tsunoda sponsor Honda are known to go separate paths from 2026. It is possible that the driver’s time at the Austrian Group ends.
What Montoya is out of the question: With the promotion of Tsunoda, Red Bull has now let himself be in a bad light. “The fact that you selected Tsunoda is the confession that you were wrong last year,” the Colombian is convinced.