Juan Pablo Montoya believes Mercedes is shaken by Red Bull's performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen showcased his dominance.
Max Verstappen demonstrated his driving prowess during the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit, seamlessly passing both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell to claim a convincing victory. With this performance, Juan Pablo Montoya suggests that Mercedes is now feeling “terrified” of Red Bull’s capabilities.
In challenging weather conditions, Verstappen's prowess became evident as he navigated the circuit with ease, marking his first win of the season. Although Antonelli managed to secure a second-place finish, he struggled to get close to Verstappen’s RB22 at any point of the race, except during caution periods. This gap in performance has significantly added to the concerns within Mercedes as they roll out their second major upgrade package of the season at the same venue.
Mercedes Reassessing Strategies After New Upgrades
The aftermath of the race prompted Mercedes to rethink their strategy. Montoya remarked on the apparent shortcomings of the upgraded W17, noting that the team's performance fell short of expectations. As a result, Mercedes decided to conduct an A/B test of their aerodynamic packages for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
In this setup, Antonelli will be equipped with the new aerodynamic specifications aimed at improving performance, while Russell will revert to an older setup as he starts from the back of the grid due to an engine swap. This tactical move reflects the urgency within the team to identify and implement effective changes to regain competitive form.
What Went Wrong for Mercedes?
Montoya had initially anticipated strong performances from both Mercedes and McLaren in Malaysia, yet he found himself surprised by how quickly Red Bull—and specifically Verstappen—established dominance. He pointed out that the Silver Arrows might not have the speed advantage they hoped for.
“McLaren weren’t that quick, and the one that surprised me, and I think they’re now terrified and worried, is Mercedes,” Montoya stated in a discussion on the MontoyAS podcast following the Grand Prix. He cited that although Mercedes had some competitive speed, Antonelli simply couldn’t match Verstappen's pace when it mattered.
Montoya elaborated on the race conditions, explaining how Antonelli faltered on the restart after a safety car intervention. “Kimi handed it to him on the restart; he didn’t handle it very well, let’s say, and left himself open,” he observed. The challenge for drivers at Sepang lies in getting a solid getaway while managing cold tires—a factor that can significantly influence race outcomes.
The tight corners and limited straightaways at Sepang made it difficult for Antonelli to establish an advantageous position against Verstappen, who leveraged his skills effectively throughout the race. Montoya was clear that Verstappen's performance warranted admiration, adding, “Max did a good job.”
Ferrari's Gamble and Hamilton’s Heroics
Shifting to Ferrari’s tactics during the race, Montoya sympathized with the team's choices, particularly their decision to start on the medium tires in wet conditions. He felt that a different tire strategy could have helped them capitalize on the situation.
Ferrari ultimately celebrated the return to the podium with Lewis Hamilton’s commendable drive, characterizing it as “extraordinary.” Montoya speculated that if Ferrari had opted for intermediate tires instead, Hamilton might well have taken the top spot on the podium: “If Ferrari had started on intermediate tyres, Lewis could have won the race.”
This weekend’s upcoming race in Singapore will be a crucial moment for both Mercedes and Ferrari as they seek to realign their strategies and find competitive speed against an increasingly formidable Red Bull team. Given the results from Malaysia, the pressure will be on these teams to perform as the championship fight begins to take shape in this pivotal season.
All eyes will be on how Mercedes implements their aero tests and whether Ferrari can learn from their missteps. As the season continues, each race will draw attention to how the dynamics between these storied teams unfold, particularly with Verstappen looking formidable at the helm of Red Bull.
