Juan Pablo Montoya has blamed Max Verstappen’s influence for Isack Hadjar’s costly crash in Monaco – Hadjar’s Monaco Grand Prix weekend got off to a difficult start after he crashed heavily during the first practice session, leaving the Red Bull junior on the back foot.
Although the French driver took responsibility for the incident, former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya thinks that the pressure to match Max Verstappen’s pace may have indirectly contributed to the accident.
Hadjar lost control of his car during Friday’s opening practice session, crashing heavily into the Tecpro barriers at the exit of the second chicane near the swimming pool section. The impact caused significant damage and disrupted his running schedule, leaving him short of valuable track time around Formula 1’s most demanding circuit.
Heavy impact cost Hadjar crucial preparation time
The Monaco street circuit offers drivers very little margin for error, a fact that Hadjar discovered the hard way during FP1.
The Racing Bulls driver took the corner too fast and lost control on exit, spinning backwards into the barriers. The accident resulted in extensive repairs and prevented him from taking part in the second practice session at the start.
For a rookie driver still gaining experience in Monaco, every lap is valuable. Missing running time can significantly impact confidence and preparation ahead of qualifying, which is often the most important session of the entire weekend in the Principality.
Montoya believes that Verstappen’s benchmark played a role
Speaking on F1 TV, Montoya argued that Hadjar’s accident was linked to the challenge faced by many drivers who have access to data from elite teammates.
“Hadjar simply went into the corner with too much speed,” Montoya explained. “That corner is just very long. You have to start turning in well in advance.”
The Colombian then suggested that Verstappen’s performance data may have indirectly encouraged Hadjar to push beyond his limits.
“He has access to Max’s data. So he can see where Max is faster. Red Bull then tells him, ‘You’re losing a few tenths here because Max brakes much later.’ What would you do then as the second driver in the same team?”
According to Montoya, this situation creates a difficult balancing act for younger drivers attempting to close the gap to one of Formula 1’s most successful competitors.
The challenge facing Red Bull’s younger drivers
Verstappen has set the standard within the wider Red Bull driver programme by winning four consecutive world championships and setting exceptionally high performance standards.
For developing drivers, access to Verstappen’s telemetry can be both a valuable learning tool and a source of pressure. While it highlights areas where time can be gained, it can also tempt drivers into taking greater risks than conditions allow.
Montoya believes this is ultimately what happened to the youngster.
“You have to go for it, and that is exactly how it went wrong,” he concluded.
These comments reflect a challenge faced by several Red Bull-affiliated drivers over the years, many of whom have attempted to replicate Verstappen’s aggressive driving style and late-braking approach.
Hadjar recovers in second practice
Despite the setback, Hadjar salvaged part of his day once his car was repaired.
The Frenchman returned to action in FP2 and delivered a respectable performance, finishing sixth on the timesheets. While this was encouraging given the circumstances, he was still approximately one second behind the fastest lap of the session.
Meanwhile, Verstappen enjoyed a far smoother Friday. The reigning world champion finished third in both practice sessions, while Red Bull continued to evaluate its competitiveness around Monaco’s unique layout.
With qualifying traditionally being so important in Monaco, Hadjar will now be hoping that his limited preparation time does not compromise his chances when it matters most. However, his performance in the second practice session at least demonstrated that the crash has not completely derailed his weekend.
Whether Montoya’s theory proves accurate or not, the incident serves as a reminder of the immense challenge facing young drivers trying to measure themselves against the current Formula 1 benchmark.
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Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
