Montoya identifies the only person that can best advise Verstappen on a potential move

Whether Verstappen aims for seven or eight world titles remains uncertain. The Dutchman has said before that achieving such a feat would be very rewarding, but he also has goals beyond matching or surpassing the record for most championships.

Currently, the Red Bull Racing driver’s contract runs through 2028. If he ends up winning the championship every season, he would secure his eighth title in 2028.

With four titles already under his belt, Verstappen is doing everything he can to secure a fifth consecutive championship, although overcoming McLaren’s dominance is proving to be a tough challenge even for an exceptional talent like the Dutchman.

However, with a 43-point gap behind Oscar Piastri in the standings, the drivers’ championship remains open, albeit somewhat compromised.

"Can Red Bull still dominate under the new rules without Adrian Newey? That's the big question. This is the first time Red Bull will go through a new regulation change without Newey."

According to Montoya, Verstappen should primarily listen to his father: "I think it probably plays more in Jos's mind than Max's. Jos has been around longer and understands it better. He knows how important it is for the right person to design the car."

GPblog reported weeks ago that Verstappen will stay with Red Bull this season. Within the Red Bull Racing camp, there’s a strong sense that no better option exists beyond the Austrian team. McLaren and Ferrari are already full, and Verstappen’s team believes Mercedes isn’t in a stronger position than Red Bull.