Montoya says Red Bull’s Verstappen focus may make Hadjar’s task harder

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Red Bull’s development work, which he says is based on Max Verstappen’s preferences, could leave Isack Hadjar with a less familiar car and outside his comfort zone. He told F1TV that it becomes harder as the season progresses and Hadjar asks for something different from the car.

Friday’s practice in Austin showed the contrast between the team-mates: Verstappen was near the front in both sessions, while Hadjar finished near the foot of the top ten. Hadjar said after both sessions that the RB22 was undriveable. The gap between them had also appeared to widen over the previous three Grand Prix weekends; for much of the season Hadjar had been within one or two tenths of Verstappen over a lap, but the difference was larger in Malaysia and Singapore sprint qualifying.

Montoya sees two difficult choices for Hadjar: adapt to what Verstappen wants, or choose a different direction and try to understand and develop the car another way. He warned that poor results would prompt questions about that choice, while going back might still leave Hadjar struggling to drive the car well.

Montoya also understands why Red Bull would not change course: he says its approach is working and the team is winning races. He said he feels for Hadjar, whom he considers highly talented and quick, and hopes the Frenchman had a problem with the car.