Liam Lawson has received a stunning vote of confidence from Juan Pablo Montoya, with the former F1 star suggesting the New Zealander could be the next Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
Lawson will also be buoyed by comments made by Colombian great Montoya during his latest appearance on the MontoyAS podcast.
Montoya discussed Lawson’s terrific 2026 performances, his recent on-track exchanges with Verstappen in Mexico City and that ongoing debate which has surrounded his F1 future.
The Colombian believes Lawson is beginning to establish himself and earn greater respect, even suggesting there is potential for him to become the next Verstappen at Red Bull.
“To a certain extent, Liam is starting to show that he could be the next Max. He could,” Montoya said.
Montoya also praised Lawson’s performances against the other drivers in the midfield, describing him as the strongest of those competing in that ultra-competitive second tier.
“He’s the best driver. Of the drivers in the slower cars in the second group, he’s the best driver. He sets the pace.”
While Montoya acknowledged that Verstappen had a reason to be frustrated, he also questioned why Lawson should be expected to simply move aside.
“I’m not ruining your lap, so why are you going to ruin mine? That’s what you’re doing,” he explained, outlining the sort of thinking he believes Lawson is beginning to demonstrate.
Lawson growing in confidence – ‘starting to stick out his chest’
He added that Lawson was increasingly showing the confidence required to demand respect from his competitors.
“He’s starting to grow, he’s starting to stick out his chest, his elbows, his shoulders, and make it clear that people need to respect him, too.”
Montoya also believes Lawson is an important asset for Racing Bulls, suggesting the team should be looking to build around the New Zealander rather than considering him a problem.
Indeed, he argued that if anyone’s position deserved greater scrutiny, it should have been that of rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad rather than Lawson.
“Yes, in other words, if you were going to question someone at this moment, you would have to question Lindblad more than Lawson,” Montoya said.
