Juan Pablo Montoya urges Red Bull to rethink letting Max Verstappen race at the Nurburgring

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Juan Pablo Montoya has said Red Bull need to rethink their decision to let Max Verstappen compete in the Nurburgring 24 Hours this May.

Max Verstappen’s recent qualifying session for the Nurburgring 24 Hours was another example of his skill in GT3 machinery, despite technical issues with his Mercedes GT3 car on Sunday cutting his final result short.

The race weekend was also marred by tragedy. Early in Saturday’s race, a seven-car crash at the Klostertal section led to the death of GT3 veteran Juha Miettinen.

This tragic incident led to renewed concerns over safety at the famous Eifel circuit as motorsport paused to remember Miettinen.

Montoya suggests Red Bull might need to rethink Verstappen’s GT3 racing plans

Speaking on the AS Colombia F1 podcast, Montoya was asked about Verstappen’s continued involvement in races at the ‘Green Hell’ after recent incidents. He doesn’t expect Red Bull to step in, but he does think they should at least take another look at their stance.

Montoya was first asked if he believes Red Bull will make Verstappen step away from GT3 racing this year. “No, because they’re afraid of losing him,” he said.

But when asked what he thinks Red Bull should do, Montoya took a firmer stance. The 48-year-old believes the team should take a closer look at what’s at stake.

He explained: “An accident could happen where he breaks a leg, breaks an arm, or something like that, and all the money Red Bull has invested in him should be reason enough.

“They should say, ‘Look, we gave him the chance, but following this accident we’re having a rethink and we don’t think he should be allowed to race.’ Personally, if I were the boss of Red Bull I would have called Max and said: Look please. You’re not getting back in the car.”