Mercedes move "the perfect opportunity" for Verstappen after losing key Red Bull ally

Max Verstappen will be looking for a Red Bull exit route, says former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

14 Apr 2026

Juan Pablo Montoya believes that now is the "perfect opportunity" for Mercedes to sign Max Verstappen, with Red Bull struggling in the opening three races of the 2026 Formula 1 season, and losing Gianpiero Lambiase to rivals McLaren.

Lambiase is the latest Verstappen ally to announce his Red Bull departure, with Helmut Marko stepping down from his role as Red Bull motorsport advisor at the end of 2025.

This followed other key moves, with Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall both also moving to McLaren, while Christian Horner, Jonathan Wheatley, and Adrian Newey have all either switched teams or left the paddock within the last 24 months.

On top of these departures, and with Red Bull struggling for performance and languishing in sixth in the constructors' table after three rounds, behind Alpine and Haas, and just two points clear of sister team Racing Bulls, questions have been raised as to how long Verstappen will stick with the team.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is a long-term admirer of the Dutchman and has previously tried to sign him. Montoya believes now could be the time to strike.

“Look at Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli has won the last two races, but George Russell is suddenly really struggling,” he told AS Columbia.

“And team boss Toto Wolff has always said very clearly that he wants Max in his team. This could well be the perfect opportunity for Verstappen.

"Red Bull is on the slower side. If they stay that way all year, Max will definitely be looking for a way out, for a way to leave as soon as possible."

Red Bull questioned over Lambiase departure

Lamibiase has served as the race engineer for four-time world champion Max Verstappen for the entirety of the Dutchman's time with Red Bull, and was crucial to each of his title-winning campaigns.

But this partnership will be broken up for the 2028 season, with McLaren announcing on 9 April that Lambiase will be joining as chief racing officer, reporting directly to team principal Andrea Stella. It has also been suggested that the 45-year-old is being lined up to eventually replace Stella in the top job.

"It is interesting, though, because he will now have a more important role than he had or could have had at Red Bull,” Montoya added.

“It's also a role that Red Bull could have known he could have gotten elsewhere.

“I don't know for sure, but when I look at all he has achieved, I personally think it is a role that Red Bull certainly could have given him as well."