Former System 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya believes Pink Bull’s 2025 automotive isn’t as dangerous as individuals suppose, however Max Verstappen is nonetheless doing an excellent job of extracting each ounce of efficiency from it.
All drivers who’ve pushed the RB21 this 12 months have described it as difficult to drive and deal with, with even Verstappen complaining about its traits on a number of events.
Liam Lawson was demoted from the second Pink Bull seat after simply two rounds as a result of his lack of ability to adapt to the automotive and whereas his alternative Yuki Tsunoda confirmed preliminary promise, the previous few races have additionally been a wrestle for him.
Tsunoda has scored simply seven factors since he moved as much as Pink Bull on the Japanese Grand Prix, whereas Verstappen has gained two races and scored two additional two podiums in the identical interval to ascertain himself because the closest rival to McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
The contrasting outcomes between the 2 Pink Bull drivers have led many onlookers to conclude that the RB21 is definitely fairly uncompetitive, with Verstappen’s unimaginable kind right down to his personal expertise than having a fast automotive beneath him.
Whereas Montoya heaped reward on the Dutchman for his spectacular outcomes this 12 months, he’s satisfied that Pink Bull’s 2025 F1 automotive can be fairly speedy regardless of its shortcomings.
“I do not suppose the Pink Bull automotive is as dangerous as individuals suppose it’s,” the previous McLaren and Williams racer informed CasinoHawks.
“It is a automotive that was constructed for Max. It is a automotive that he can drive, which isn’t simple to drive, however the automotive does what he needs.
“You take a look at Lewis [Hamilton] driving the Ferrari and the way he is steering with the wheel, he is unsure, he will get snappy.
“You by no means see Max getting snappy. You by no means see Max uncontrolled. The one time this 12 months that Max had a snap and he appeared uncontrolled was after they put the onerous tyres on in Barcelona on the finish of the race. After which his tempo was poor.
“He was out of his consolation zone and he acquired rattled. Aside from that, the automotive is being aggressive. It drives very otherwise to what all people else drives.
“Max is doing an incredible job. He is an aggressive model of George [Russell]. George is a quieter man. He is a man that does not take as many dangers, however speed-wise, you’ve acquired to say what George did in Canada with that Mercedes was wonderful.”
Whereas Verstappen was unable to place up a lot of a problem to Mercedes rival George Russell in Canada, Montoya expects him and Pink Bull to be a powerful contender within the Austrian GP on 29 June.
The vitality drinks large has a powerful observe report at Spielberg, with Verstappen having gained 4 out of the final seven on Pink Bull’s dwelling turf.
“I believe Pink Bull ought to be very sturdy in Austria as a result of it is the kind of circuit the place you want a little bit of traction but it surely’s not loopy,” he mentioned.
“You might have a variety of flowing corners, a little bit bit like Japan, like lengthy corners. And it is the kind of circuit the place Pink Bull can shine. Max goes to be actually, actually powerful there once more.”
