Montoya says Lawson could grow into a new Verstappen

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Liam Lawson could grow into a new Max Verstappen. On his MontoyAS podcast, he said Lawson was beginning to show that potential, while presenting it as a possibility.

Montoya made the comparison while discussing the minor collision between Lawson and Verstappen in second practice in Mexico City. He saw Lawson's conduct, including not allowing himself to be pushed aside, as a sign of growth. Verstappen said after the session that Lawson's behaviour was unwise; at the time, the Racing Bulls driver was still fighting for a 2027 seat.

Montoya also called Lawson the right candidate for Red Bull. In his view, Lawson generally had the edge over Arvid Lindblad on race pace. Had Nikola Tsolov been promoted, Montoya said, Lindblad would have been the much more logical driver to miss out.