Juan Pablo Montoya: Lewis Hamilton "doesn't forget" Max Verstappen F1 history
Juan Pablo Montoya believes Lewis Hamilton’s fierce defence against Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix showed he has not forgotten their past
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has argued that Lewis Hamilton's strong defence against Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix proved that the Ferrari driver "doesn't forget" their contentious history.
While George Russell commanded the race at the Red Bull Ring with a win from pole position, some of the standout on-track action came from a fierce mid-race battle between old title rivals Hamilton and Verstappen.
The pair engaged in a tense back-and-forth, trading positions but managing to keep it clean. While Hamilton was investigated for potentially forcing Verstappen off the track, the stewards deemed that no further action was necessary.
Speaking during F1 TV's post-race broadcast, Montoya explained: "I think the racing was really good. I think sometimes people forget what happened between Max and Lewis before, and Lewis doesn't forget.
"When you're a driver, and they run you over before, you don't forget, and if you can give it to them, you will all the way. And that's what we saw today. It was unbelievable. I was giggling watching that."
The fierce on-track history between the two champions reached its boiling point during the unforgettable 2021 F1 season. As Hamilton was fighting for his eighth championship title, Verstappen was gunning for his first. The season-long battle resulted in collisions at Silverstone, Monza and Jeddah.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
The championship went down to the wire at the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the Dutchman claimed his maiden drivers' title.
Since then, Verstappen has gone on to claim three further titles while Hamilton battled against a struggling Mercedes in the ground effect era before moving to Ferrari in 2025.
Verstappen finished the Austrian Grand Prix in second behind Russell after starting from fifth, and Hamilton crossed the line to finish in fifth after starting third on the grid.
Photos from Austrian GP - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Austrian Grand Prix - Sunday
Share Or Save This Story
Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad surprise fans on easyJet flight after Belgian GP
Ferrari should have signed Gianpiero Lambiase for Lewis Hamilton, says F1 broadcaster
George Russell told "low" moments are "really good thing for him" after Belgian GP blow
Lewis Hamilton keeps fourth in F1 Belgian GP as mechanic escapes unhurt
Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" Lewis Hamilton penalty in F1 Belgian GP
Why Charles Leclerc’s battle of the brakes has left him trailing Lewis Hamilton
"Kimi can buy me dinner." Valtteri Bottas jokes about his part in Antonelli’s Belgian GP win
Why Charles Leclerc wasn’t penalised for clash with Oscar Piastri in Belgian GP
Why Fred Vasseur's steady hand is exactly what fervent Ferrari needs right now
Honda confirms Fabio Quartararo signing on a two-year MotoGP deal
Mercedes is open to team orders now – but it’s not what you think
Honda signs David Alonso for 2027 without confirming which team he will join
Alex Palou “was not confident at all” in outlasting late pressure to win Nashville
Welcome to the jungle? When Formula 1.5 came to Spa
Momentum restored: Antonelli overcomes bad luck to reclaim control at the Belgian GP
The data that reveals how different Spa is under F1's 2026 rules
How Antonelli found half a second to thwart Verstappen in Belgian GP qualifying
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments