Montoya Backs Lawson to Challenge Verstappen in Equal Machinery

Juan Pablo Montoya, never shy of sharing his opinions, has thrown his support behind Liam Lawson, suggesting that the young Racing Bulls driver could contend with Max Verstappen if they were both given equal machinery. According to Montoya, Lawson has been one of the standout drivers in the 2026 season, showcasing the kind of talent that could see him thrive at the front of the F1 grid. Montoya's confidence in Lawson stems from the Kiwi's impressive performances, despite not having a sustained stint with top-tier teams. Lawson's brief forays with Red Bull were primarily as a backup, offering little chance to challenge Verstappen directly. However, his performances at Racing Bulls have been strong enough for Montoya to consider him one of the best on the current grid. "Right now, you could say that Liam is one of the best drivers on the grid and that, in a top-class car, he’d be right up there fighting for the lead," Montoya told AS. This year, Lawson trails only the top four teams' drivers in points, reinforcing Montoya's belief in his potential. The Racing Bulls driver, who has secured a seat for 2027, has been pivotal in ensuring his team's competitiveness against the giants of F1. Montoya went further to speculate about a hypothetical scenario where Verstappen and Lawson were teammates with equal standing. However, the politics of F1 make such a situation unlikely. Red Bull's hierarchy, as demonstrated during the Mexico City GP incident between Verstappen and Lawson, tends to favor their established star. Both drivers received grid penalties after a collision during practice, an incident that highlighted tensions within the team. Verstappen later criticized Lawson's judgment, though the Kiwi was simply trying to assert himself. Montoya believes Lawson could have matched Verstappen's pace had they been using cars of identical performance, but admits Red Bull is unlikely to foster such direct competition. For now, Lawson remains a key player at Racing Bulls, with Montoya among those watching eagerly to see what he can achieve next.