F1 legend claims $100M reason behind Max Verstappen Red Bull decision

Juan Pablo Montoya has revealed the $100million reason F1 champion Max Verstappen remained at Red Bull.

The Dutchman's future at the team was thrown into doubt when Mercedes once again enquired for his services, only for Verstappen to re-affirm his commitment to Red Bull.

However, former F1 driver Montoya believes that Red Bull’s poor performance is costing Verstappen at the negotiating table and Mercedes have offered a lower salary that expected, promoting the champion to remain at Red Bull.

“I don't think Max [Verstappen] had a choice. If I was negotiating with Max last year when he was winning the world championship, let's say, it would have cost $100m,” he said to CoinPoker.

“This year he's in a struggling car. The number could be $50m.

“Maybe that was the reason he stayed. Maybe Max thought he was going to get $100m and whoever was speaking to him would have the upper hand, knowing that Max would want them more than they want Max.

“Last year, the number had to be like over the moon to get Max. I think this year, if you're negotiating for Max, you can negotiate. Tell him, if you want to be here, this is the number. Toto [Wolff] could offer Max half what he would have needed to last year.”

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Verstappen’s miserable year at Red Bull

Following four back-to-back world titles with Red Bull, Verstappen may have to say farewell to the chance of a fifth during the second half of the season.

While McLaren’s form has been imperious in 2025, Red Bull have struggled to be regular podium contenders, and at the last race in Hungary, Verstappen finished a miserable ninth place.

Red Bull have recently undergone major structural changes, following the ousting of their team principal of 20 years Christian Horner, who has been replaced with Laurent Mekies.

Verstappen himself has admitted that restructuring has to take place at Red Bull for the team to become competitive again; but they are at risk of losing their star driver if this process lengthens.

The Dutchman is nearly 100 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings, and if this season replicates itself next year, Verstappen may tire of Red Bull entirely.

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