According to former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, it will be difficult for Mercedes to close the gap with Red Bull, whose RB16B is performing at a much higher level. Max Verstappen seems to be on his way to the title, according to Montoya.
With three wins in a row, Max Verstappen has a comfortable lead over Lewis Hamilton in the provisional position for the world championship and Mercedes also has to chase the constructors.
Next week Mercedes will bring some updates to Silverstone in hopes of closing the gap with Red Bull but Juan Pablo Montoya fears Mercedes will be late in catching up.
“I think it will be very difficult for Mercedes,” Montoya told Motorsport.com.
“At this stage, Max and Red Bull have clearly gained speed. Max is doing great, he’s out week after week. I don’t really see how they’re going to beat him.”
“The only aspect that still speaks in favor of Mercedes is that they are getting upgrades at Silverstone. Hopefully that step is big enough to get closer to Red Bull, but I honestly don’t think it will be enough. I don’t see how they can turn this around.”
The Colombian believes that Max Verstappen’s combination in the Red Bull RB16B is a difficult combination to beat.
“It’s much easier to be in complete control when you have the fastest car and everything is on track,” said Montoya.
“Then it is easier to keep a cool head, to carry out everything flawlessly, in fact everything becomes easier.”
“I don’t think it’s about Hamilton being under pressure. Lewis is still a great driver in my eyes, but Red Bull just has the faster car. Especially in the hands of Max Verstappen, Red Bull is on another level.”
“If you look at how things are going now, you would assume that Max should win this championship unless something special happens.”
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