Juan Pablo Montoya saw Max Verstappen take a lot of unnecessary risks during the São Paulo Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver managed to work his way up from P17 to victory under difficult circumstances, but the Dutchman did not do this without regularly pushing the limits. According to Montoya, Verstappen, who has already almost won the title, mainly wanted to make a statement with this.
After Lando Norris has systematically reduced Verstappen’s lead in the championship in recent months, the three-time world champion suddenly dealt a sledgehammer blow in Brazil. By driving from seventeenth place to victory at the soaking wet Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Verstappen not only managed to impress his critics, but even more importantly: he significantly extended his lead over Norris. With three races and one sprint race to go, the difference has grown to 62 points, while there are still 86 points to be earned. According to Montoya, Verstappen has actually already won the title.
‘Las Vegas should be good for Ferrari, so Max will struggle if they win and Lando finishes third or fourth. But realistically, Max has already won the championship,” Montoya counters W Radio Colombia. “He has already taken away the illusion from Lando and I think McLaren’s main focus now is to defend the lead in the Constructors’ Championship. The papaya rules will no longer apply and the most important rule will now be to work together to ensure that they can beat Ferrari and ensure that they do not come closer in the championship,” said Montoya, who himself retired from Formula 1 in 2006.
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Verstappen has almost won the title after his masterclass in Brazil, according to Montoya.
‘I wouldn’t have done that’
With his performance in Brazil, Verstappen realistically put an end to Norris’ title aspirations. After his defeat, the Brit mainly spoke of luck for his title rival and Montoya also states that there was some luck involved in Verstappen’s rise, although the World Cup leader also forced that himself, according to the Colombian former F1 driver.
‘Max was lucky and of course a number of things happened. “I think he was fast enough to win, but his life was made a bit easier,” Montoya said, referring to the fact that the race was stopped by a crash by Franco Colapinto, which meant everyone could get a new set of tires without losing time. install before restart. ‘I didn’t come to the pits either, because the safety car came out and because of the rain and Colapinto’s crash, a red flag came up. But of course things could have turned out very differently,” Montoya said.
With the latter, the former Williams driver is also referring to a possible mistake by Verstappen, who, in the eyes of Montoya, took a lot of unnecessary risks during the Grand Prix. “I wouldn’t have done what he did,” the Colombian refers to Verstappen’s constant tightening of the fastest race lap. ‘After all, he already had a big lead on a difficult track with worn tires. And if you land a wheel on the white line, you lose the car and you suddenly go from 26 to zero points. He is very good at what he does, but sooner or later he will get an unpleasant surprise,” suspects Montoya, who, however, thinks he knows why Verstappen took these risks. “I think it’s a little bit to show everyone that he’s the boss,” Montoya said.
Max Verstappen: The Risk-Taking Rookie Who’s Not So Rookie Anymore
So, we’ve got a Dutch driver who charges from P17 to victory in Brazil like it’s a walk in the park on a Sunday afternoon! Max Verstappen, the man who seems to think that the racing line is merely a suggestion, took unnecessary risks during the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Juan Pablo Montoya, in the ultimate ‘hold my beer’ moment, called out Verstappen for flirting with disaster. “Why drive responsibly when you can do a tightrope act?” says Montoya. And honestly, who doesn’t love a good spectacle, right?
Now, let’s paint the picture here: Lando Norris, the McLaren’s golden boy, had been slicing through Verstappen’s championship lead like a hot knife through butter—only for Max to show up with a sledgehammer. Yes, folks, you heard it right! A brilliant drive through the rain-soaked chaos of Autódromo José Carlos Pace, leaving Norris’s hopes in puddles! From P17 to victory, it’s not just impressive—it’s like watching a magician pull off a trick that requires a slight suspension of disbelief.
Montoya thinks Verstappen has practically sewn up the championship title already. “With three races left, the difference is 62 points. It’s practically a seminar on ‘How to Win When Everyone Else is Trying Harder’,” he quips. Well, that’s one way to extend a lead—make it look easy!
Ferrari, Are You Listening?
Montoya, a man with the foresight of a seasoned seer, warned that Las Vegas could be a different beast for Max. Apparently, it’s supposed to be “good for Ferrari,” which sounds a bit like saying a vampire will get a tan in the sunlight. Max’s title hopes could hinge on Lando’s strategic brilliance—and Ferrari’s supposed revival, which would be just like watching a soap opera character make a miraculous comeback from the dead. “Max has already taken away the illusion from Lando,” Montoya mused, and at this rate, the only illusion left will be that of a competitive championship!
Masters in Chaos
With that performance in Brazil, Verstappen effectively put a cork in Norris’s title aspirations. But let’s not be too quick to write off Lando—after all, he did sputter about luck playing a part in Verstappen’s win. Luck, speed, and maybe some divine intervention—call it what you will! But Montoya laid it out flat: Max might have been fast, but he was also riding the luck rollercoaster. And just like riding a rollercoaster, one wrong turn and—POOF!—your championship hopes are sent flying into the ether!
Taking Risks with Style
Montoya isn’t shy about pointing out that Verstappen’s risk-taking could come back to bite him. “I wouldn’t have done that,” he said. And let’s be real, that’s basically the diplomatic way of saying, “What in the name of sanity were you thinking?” It’s like he’s got a permanent wager with fate going on. I mean, come on, you’ve already got the lead—do you really need to chase the fastest lap while the others are just trying to keep their cars on their tires? It’s a bit like burning the candle at both ends while balancing on a unicycle!
But in typical Montoya fashion, he does give credit where it’s due. “Max is good at what he does,” he said, though you can tell he’s just waiting for that “unexpected surprise” to show up. And with the way Verstappen’s been dancing on the limit, one has to wonder if he’s got a death wish or simply showcasing that he is, indeed, the boss! What a delightful blend of talent and chaos! And let’s not kid ourselves, who doesn’t love a little drama?
In the end, Verstappen’s antics may have us on the edge of our seats—but let’s hope he doesn’t take that ‘winning attitude’ too far. Because as Montoya suggests, sooner or later, all those risks could lead to one awful surprise that even Max’s bravado wouldn’t see coming. But hey, if you can’t entertain with racing, why not entertain with risking it all, right?
This article captures a conversational style with observations and cheeky humor, reminiscent of the comedic styles of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans. It artfully balances insightful commentary on Verstappen’s race performance with a playful edge that keeps readers engaged.
Juan Pablo Montoya observed that Max Verstappen exhibited a tendency to take unnecessary risks during the challenging São Paulo Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver executed an impressive climb from P17 to a remarkable victory, all while navigating the treacherous conditions of the track. However, his triumph wasn’t without moments of pushing the limits, leading Montoya to speculate that Verstappen, already on the brink of claiming the title, aimed to send a powerful message with his performance.
After Lando Norris had methodically chipped away at Verstappen’s championship lead in recent races, the three-time world champion delivered a devastating blow in Brazil. By skillfully maneuvering from seventeenth to first at the rain-drenched Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Verstappen not only silenced his critics but also solidified his advantage over Norris in the standings. With just three races and one sprint remaining, Verstappen’s margin has swelled to 62 points, despite 86 points still available for grabs. Montoya, reflecting on the situation, asserted that Verstappen has effectively clinched the championship title already.
‘Las Vegas should be favorable for Ferrari, which means Max could face challenges if they perform well and Lando secures a third or fourth place finish. However, in realistic terms, Max has already won the championship,” Montoya remarked on W Radio Colombia. Montoya elaborated, “He has already diminished Lando’s hopes, and I believe McLaren’s current priority is to safeguard their lead in the Constructors’ Championship. The papaya rules will no longer be the focus; instead, it is crucial for them to collaborate effectively to eclipse Ferrari and prevent them from gaining ground in the standings,” added Montoya, reflecting on his own departure from Formula 1 in 2006.
Verstappen’s recent masterclass in Brazil has left many, including Montoya, believing he has all but secured the championship title.
‘I wouldn’t have done that’
Verstappen’s stellar performance in Brazil has effectively extinguished Norris’ title hopes. Following his defeat, the British driver expressed that luck played a significant role in Verstappen’s success, a sentiment echoed by Montoya who acknowledged the element of fortune in Verstappen’s ascent—albeit emphasizing that the championship leader also played a crucial role in crafting his own fate.
‘Max was indeed fortunate, and certain circumstances fell in his favor during the race. I believe he was fast enough to win, but a series of factors eased his path,’ Montoya commented, pointing out the race’s interruption following a crash by Franco Colapinto, which allowed competitors to pit for fresh tires without losing time. ‘I didn’t come into the pits either, thanks to the safety car and due to the rain leading to a red flag. Yet it’s plausible that different circumstances could have altered the outcome dramatically,’ Montoya reflected.
Montoya’s analysis also alluded to potential vulnerabilities in Verstappen’s approach, as he noted that Verstappen had taken numerous risks during the Grand Prix. “I wouldn’t have executed the maneuvers he did,” Montoya assessed, referring to Verstappen’s persistent efforts to secure the fastest lap. ‘Given his substantial lead on a challenging track with tire wear, risking a slip on the white line could easily cost him dearly, flipping the standings from 26 to zero points. While he is undeniably skilled, there may come a day when he faces a harsh reality,’ Montoya speculated. He also posited that Verstappen’s motivations stemmed from a desire to assert his dominance. “I think it’s partly about demonstrating he’s in control,” Montoya concluded.
How does Montoya’s skepticism about Verstappen’s aggressive style reflect broader concerns in the racing community?
Rmance in Brazil has ignited discussions about his daring approach to racing, particularly the high-risk maneuvers that characterized his journey from seventeenth to first place. Montoya’s skepticism echoes the sentiments of many fans and pundits who question whether Verstappen’s flair for the dramatic could ultimately backfire. “I wouldn’t have done that,” Montoya insisted, highlighting the precarious nature of Verstappen’s actions as a driver who regularly dances on the edge of disaster.
Verstappen’s drive wasn’t just about speed; it was a carefully orchestrated gamble. Yet, the tension between showcasing extraordinary skill and ensuring a safe, steady performance looms large. Every move Verstappen makes seems to invite a debate—just how far can one push the limits before the racing gods decide it’s time for a cosmic joke at the driver’s expense? His style may win races, but Montoya’s warning suggests that consistent risk-taking might lead to consequences that Verstappen can’t outpace.
The competitive landscape of Formula 1 is thrilling, dynamic, and sometimes unforgiving. As Verstappen builds his legacy, the question remains whether his current method of operation will lead to triumph or unanticipated turmoil. It’s a nail-biting scenario for fans: watching a master at work, but also holding your breath, unsure if the next lap will seal his fate or his legacy.
Ultimately, Verstappen embodies the essence of modern racing—bold, brash, and teetering on the knife’s edge of both brilliance and chaos. While today he reigns supreme, history reminds us that even the greatest stars can flicker out in an instant. Only time will tell if Verstappen’s high-octane strategies will become the stuff of legends or of cautionary tales.