Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen’s frustration with new Formula 1 will only be resolved by one thing, as speculation over the Dutch driver’s future continues to intensify ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

“What will keep Max happy is to have a winning car,” Montoya told the Betpack media team. “Guys winning races don't complain. Max didn’t complain when there was the issue with porpoising, because he was winning!”

Verstappen has cut an increasingly agitated figure in recent weeks, with Red Bull struggling to match the pace of dominant Mercedes under the new 2026 regulations, forcing the champion to question both performance and the direction of the sport.

Montoya suggested that criticism from Verstappen and other drivers may already have triggered a firm response from Formula 1’s leadership.: “Stefano Domenicali did an interview the other day and he said, they had listened to Max, and they had listened to the drivers, but he added that Max needed to remember that his voice is very powerful and he needed to be careful about what he says.

“I would not be surprised if people from F1 had called Max and told him to keep quiet. I'll guarantee you they had a talk with him and all the drivers and told them two can play at this game. Since then, none of the drivers have said anything. I think the drivers are starting to understand that they need to be part of the solution, more than part of the problem.

“Most media comments come from drivers. The drivers have so much power and influence on what is said. F1 I’m sure will have told them we're working on it, but if you don't support us, we're not going to support you. And if you want to leave, the door is right there,"ventured Montoya.

A sillier than normal Formula 1 'Silly Season' on the cards

The Colombian added that the tone of recent driver comments suggested a shift in approach following early-season criticism of the new rules. Refering to Bearman's high-speed crash at Suzuka: “Since then, everybody has changed their tune.

"“Bearman blamed his accident on the cars, and then he came out on the F1 show last week and said what caused the accident was Colapinto moving radically at the end. Their whole perspective is changing and it's because F1 has grabbed them by the balls like they should have done earlier in the year.”

Montoya also pointed to ongoing conversations behind the scenes regarding Verstappen’s future, with Mercedes emerging as a potential destination: “I guarantee you part of Max’s conversation with Stefano was, ‘Where do you want to be next year?’

“I think he’ll want to be at Mercedes. Absolutely. If I was Max, I would go to Mercedes. The only curveball they have there is if George Russell wins the championship. Are you going to let go of the world champion or are you going to let go of your junior of real promise in Kimi? I would imagine they will keep Kimi.”

While Russell is favourite to win the tile his year due to his experience, however, his Mercedes teammate, teenager Antonelli has signaled with intent that he will not be a pushover as he heads to Miami top of the 2026 F1 Drivers' standings. The youngest driver ever to do so.

George Russsell a good fit in a McLaren?

Montoya believes a wider reshuffle among the grid’s leading drivers could follow, involving Verstappen, Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri: “This is where it becomes complicated. George would be a really good fit in a McLaren.

“And if Piastri and Max want to move, the three of them could just swap. Piastri to Red Bull, George McLaren and Max to Mercedes. If I was going to make a bet on where they're going to end up next year, I think that would be a good estimate of what could happen.”

Montoya added that the rapid pace of change in Formula 1 risks sidelining other leading drivers, citing Carlos Sainz as an example: The driver I feel for is Carlos Sainz. He should be part of the main driver conversations along with Max, George and Oscar,” he said.

“But they are the three big dogs at the moment. We are not even talking about Carlos despite what he has done at Ferrari and Williams. But he isn’t. This is the problem. F1 changes so fast every year," explained Montoya.

In terms of Red Bull eking out more perfromance out of their troublesome package for Miami, only time will tell if Verstappen's bleek fortunes will change. A mere 12 points, from three race weekends, one including a Sprint, is not Max territory. 

As for his future, there appears to be too much a stake contractually and financially for Verstappen to depart any time soon, however the whole paddock will wait on his plans before they cast into stone any of their plans. Demand for his services, should he ditch RBR will become fever pitched.