Montoya: 2026 will be challenging for both Red Bull teams.

      Juan Pablo Montoya closely follows events in the world of Formula 1, from which the Colombian parted ways in 2006, mid-season, and continued his career in America. But now the former driver is again appearing in the paddock quite often, because his 20-year-old son Sebastian is competing this season in Formula 2 for Prema and has already stood on the podium a couple of times.

      Montoya is also keeping an eye on the staffing situation at Red Bull Racing, where the lineup for next season has not yet been decided, although it is already clear that Max Verstappen will remain with the team. But who will be his teammate?

      Juan Pablo offered his version while taking part in the W Radio Colombia program: "Although Arvid Lindblad, a Formula 2 driver, has already taken part in tests and piloted a Red Bull Racing car, I don't think he has advanced so far in terms of professional preparation that he would be offered a race seat in the team's main lineup."

      Montoya is also certain that neither Liam Lawson nor Yuki Tsunoda will become Verstappen's teammate in 2026: "I'm more inclined to believe that the Frenchman Isack Hadjar will be moved from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing.

      "In any case, the 2026 season will be very difficult for both of those teams, since Red Bull will debut as an engine manufacturer, and that's another aspect that will only complicate the task for Lindblad."

      As Helmut Marko emphasized, Red Bull will decide the lineup for next season after the summer break, and when Hadjar is asked if he is ready to move to the next, higher step of his career, he answers in general affirmatively: "If I can show strong results and don't make mistakes, then that will mean I'm ready."