Juan Pablo Montoya has voiced criticism regarding Red Bull Racing’s performance during the 2026 Italian Grand Prix qualifying session at Monza. The former Formula 1 race winner suggested the team may have compromised a stronger result for Max Verstappen last Saturday.
Montoya specifically questioned whether both Red Bull cars were operating with identical specifications during the crucial qualifying session. This concern follows the session held on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, qualified third on the grid at Monza. This result was considered by some to be below the expected performance level for the Red Bull team.
Liam Lawson, driving the sister Red Bull entry, secured the twelfth position in qualifying. His performance also drew attention in the context of the team’s overall showing.
Verstappen reported dissatisfaction with his RB22’s balance during the session. He cited persistent understeer issues, particularly in the high-speed corners of the Monza circuit.
Lawson also indicated a notable lack of grip throughout his qualifying runs. He specifically highlighted difficulties in the second sector of the Italian track.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal, addressed the situation post-qualifying. He stated that both cars were provided with identical technical packages and setup options for the session.
Horner attributed Verstappen’s reported struggles to specific track conditions and ongoing fine-tuning efforts. He did not acknowledge any disparity in car specifications.
Paddock sources indicated that Verstappen’s car underwent extensive setup adjustments during the final free practice session. These changes may have influenced the overall balance for qualifying.
Lawson’s car, in contrast, reportedly received fewer significant setup modifications leading into qualifying. This difference in approach has fueled further discussion.
Montoya’s comments have initiated a broader debate within the F1 paddock. The discussion centers on Red Bull’s strategy regarding driver equality, especially with a championship contender in the team.
