Montoya Was Right: Ford Would Rather See Max Verstappen in a Mustang Over a Mercedes

Juan Pablo Montoya's suspicion that Ford would rather see Max Verstappen in a Mustang than a Mercedes has been confirmed. GPblog understands from a source close to Ford that the American manufacturer would indeed have preferred its Red Bull Racing engine partner's star driver to race a Mustang GT3 around the Nordschleife, rather than a Mercedes.

Why it matters:

Verstappen is the face of Red Bull Ford in Formula 1, yet he’s currently competing in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in a Mercedes GT3 — a direct rival to Ford. That tension isn't lost on Detroit. While Ford hasn't applied pressure, the situation highlights the delicate balance between a driver's personal choices and brand partnerships.

The details:

• Montoya's take: The former F1 driver noted, "If I were the big boss at Ford, I wouldn't be happy that Verstappen is doing advertising for Mercedes at the Nürburgring. If I were Red Bull and Ford, I'd put pressure on Max not to drive a Mercedes, but for example a Ford GT3."
• Ford's stance: A GPblog source says Ford would have preferred to see Verstappen in a Mustang, but ultimately sees this as a personal choice. The American giant believes Verstappen is evaluating long-term GT3 partners — he also raced a Ferrari GT3 last year.
• No pressure applied: Unlike Montoya's hypothetical, Ford hasn't intervened. They reportedly respect Verstappen's freedom, leaving the door open for a future switch to a Mustang.

Between the lines:

Verstappen's GT3 choices suggest he's shopping for a long-term relationship outside F1. Ford likely sees this as an opportunity rather than a threat. If Verstappen eventually settles on a Mustang, it could become a powerful marketing asset. For now, the Mercedes partnership is a one-off — but it’s a reminder that brand loyalties in motorsport are never absolute.