Montoya is right: Ford would prefer to see Verstappen in a Mustang over a Mercedes

This season, Ford is Red Bull Racing’s partner in its own engine project. The manufacturer ultimately hopes to be just as successful with the Austrians as Red Bull was with Honda in the recent past. And who should deliver the world title? Max Verstappen, the showpiece of the team and of Ford.

Nevertheless, Verstappen is currently not only the face of Red Bull Ford, but also of Mercedes. The Dutchman is competing in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in a GT3 car from the German brand - and Red Bull’s major rival in Formula 1. That seems odd, as Juan Pablo Montoya pointed out.

"If I were the big boss at Ford, I wouldn’t be happy that Verstappen is doing advertising for Mercedes at the Nürburgring," Montoya said. "If I were Red Bull and Ford, I’d put pressure on Max not to drive a Mercedes, but for example a Ford GT3. If I were Ford’s top executive, I wouldn’t like that he’s racing with Mercedes and promoting Mercedes."

Having their driver in a rival’s car is not exactly something that gets people jumping for joy at Ford's Detroit headquarters. GPblog understands from a source close to Ford that the Americans would indeed have preferred to see Verstappen drive a Mustang GT3 around the Nordschleife.

But ultimately it is regarded as a personal choice which manufacturer Verstappen drives for, and that choice has been Mercedes. Reportedly, Ford believes that Verstappen is looking for the right long-term GT3 partner, since the Dutchman also raced a Ferrari GT3 last year. The American giant therefore does not appear to rule out the possibility that Verstappen will eventually compete in GT races in a Ford Mustang.