Montoya encourages son's independence at Red Bull: 'Different'

Sebastian Montoya will be part of the Red Bull Junior Team next season. The talented driver has a role model in his father Juan Pablo Montoya, the former Formula 1 driver feels his son has fully seized the opportunity himself.

The 47-year-old Colombian was in Formula 1 for many years between 2001 and 2006. With Williams, he managed to secure third place in the World Championship for two seasons, before working for McLaren in his final two years.

Montoya knows Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko well. In fact, he was part of RSM Marko's Formula 3000 team in 1997. In conversation with Motorsport.com however, he stressed that he had no part in bringing about the opportunity his son was given by the Austrians.

"The beauty of how this has turned out is that Sebastian has earned this opportunity himself," states Montoya. "Of course I can grab my phone and call a few people, but I think it's important that he knows how to force opportunities himself. That's different from having it handed to you on a silver platter."