Montoya defends Perez after Red Bull criticism

Sergio Perez's caller disapproval of Red Bull has again sparked attraction successful the F1 world, and erstwhile operator Juan Pablo Montoya was not precise knowing of his broadside of the story. The treatment is nary longer astir statistic oregon results, but however overmuch tin a operator kick erstwhile helium had the accidental to beryllium successful a apical team.

After leaving Milton Keynes, Perez repeatedly said that "everything was a problem" and that it was wide that the squad was built astir Max Verstappen. Although helium won 5 victories successful Red Bull and finished the 2023 play arsenic runner-up, his statements opened the statement again.

Montoya: He knew what helium was getting into

Montoya answered straight connected his MontoyAS podcast: "If you look astatine it from the position of a Mexican fan, you mightiness deliberation that Red Bull didn't dainty him fairly. But, arsenic helium said himself, helium knew what helium was getting into."

For Montoya, that condemnation is crucial. From time one, Perez was alert of the hierarchy successful the squad and that Verstappen had a cardinal role. “Whether it’s just oregon not, Red Bull helped him get to 5 wins. How overmuch tin you kick about?” the Colombian said.

Montoya admits that determination were days erstwhile the car wasn’t casual to drive, but rejects the thought that the full play was bad. “In the end, you tin kick that sometimes the car was astir undriveable. But determination were besides a batch of bully things,” helium added. He peculiarly emphasizes that Perez ne'er had a closed doorway and that the squad gave him opportunities adjacent erstwhile his signifier was declining.

“Red Bull gave him a batch of opportunities,” Montoya said. “When helium felt comfy successful the car, helium did a large job.”

Perez arrived astatine Red Bul* successful 2021 arsenic a replacement for Alex Albon, fulfilling expectations, but the collaboration ended aft the 2024 season. Montoya makes it wide that successful teams similar Red Bull, a operator indispensable judge some the benefits and the limitations: “He knew what was coming to him. He got wins, opportunities and moments wherever helium showed his worth.”