Juan Pablo Montoya describes Red Bull’s choice to challenge George Russell’s win at the Canadian Grand Prix for ‘unsportsmanlike intent’ as reminiscent of “kindergarten.”
After their incident at the Spanish Grand Prix, which led to Verstappen accumulating 11 penalty points on his Super Licence, just one short of a race ban, Russell and Verstappen clashed once more in Montreal while they were running 1-2 behind the Safety Car towards the end of the Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s protest was dismissed as baseless.
Russell, appearing to heat up his tyres, slams on the brakes and Verstappen, taken by surprise, sails right by him.
Russell jumped on the team radio to express that Verstappen had passed him while behind the Safety Car, with the defending World Champion, just one penalty point away from an automatic race ban, swiftly onto Red Bull to justify his actions.
Despite the stewards not penalizing Verstappen for overtaking behind the Safety Car, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner criticized Russell for what he described as the Mercedes driver’s “intent.” Consequently, Red Bull filed a protest under Article 55.5 of the Sporting Regulations.
That pertains to ‘unsporting conduct through demonstrating ‘unsportsmanlike intent.’ They further objected to the Mercedes driver falling over 10 car lengths back from the Safety Car.
Ex-F1 driver Montoya describes it as immature and recalls when teams were allowed to communicate with the FIA Race Director via radio.
This contributed to the heated F1 2021 championship in which Horner and his Mercedes rival Toto Wolff clashed with then-FIA race director Michael Masi, notably during the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi.
“I believe that if George intentionally slammed on the brakes and Max went by as a result, then it should be examined,” Montoya told CasinoHawks.
“It’s similar to something you would see in kindergarten.”
What is the reason for your protest? It’s similar to the arguments you could listen to before on the radio when the team owners’ radios were active with the FIA.
“You could hear Toto and you could hear Horner arguing, like chattering to the teacher.” “It’s so much improved now that I’m not hearing all that.”
After completing the Canadian Grand Prix without any issues, Verstappen has one more race in Austria to navigate before forfeiting two of his 11 penalty points, reducing his total to nine and providing him some leeway.
Montoya believes that the impending ban is definitely affecting Verstappen’s racing style, as he cannot risk even the slightest violation, which might jeopardize his chances of a fifth World title.
“The possibility of a ban is influencing Max’s driving,” Montoya stated.
“The last thing Max requires at this moment is to avoid racing.” Max showed the speed to possibly challenge George. He was in front of the McLaren.
“He was accumulating points.” I’m quite certain there was a deep discussion at Red Bull regarding how he should conduct himself over the weekend. They couldn’t have operated as if everything were normal.
“The discussion would have proceeded with the idea that publicly we’re competing as normal, but Max, we can’t allow any errors.” We cannot risk losing a Drivers’ Championship due to a penalty. Simply take it back home.
“He began well, but he didn’t make any attacks, he didn’t press.” Usually, Max is seen giving it his all during the first lap, but he wasn’t. He was quite composed emotionally in how he handled the race.