Helmut Marko says ‘incredibly talented’ Juan Pablo Montoya is one of his biggest disappointments

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Ex-Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has explained why Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the biggest disappointments of his career. 

Montoya, 50, drove for Williams and McLaren during his Formula 1 career, taking part in 95 Grands Prix. 

In total, the Colombian won seven races, with his first coming at the 2001 Italian Grand Prix, while his last victory was in Brazil back in 2005.

Aside from F1, Montoya also competed in IndyCar, Champ Car, 24 Hours of Le Mans and NASCAR.

Back in 1997, Montoya raced for Marko after joining the Austrian’s RSM Marko in the International F3000 Championship, which was F1’s feeder series. 

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Helmut Marko names Juan Pablo Montoya as one of his biggest disappointments

Speaking recently to German news outlet Die Zeit, Marko admitted that the ‘incredibly talented’ Montoya turned out to be one of his biggest disappointments.

Marko explained: “Montoya was incredibly talented, came from Colombia, and visited me in Graz. The first thing he told me was how happy he was about the four burger places in Graz. He’d already read the menus.

“I live on a mountain above the city, and after dinner at my place—we had salad—I didn’t call a taxi and let him walk back down to the city for an hour.”

When asked which drivers disappointed him the most, Marko said: “There are a few who come to mind. Montoya didn’t use his abilities, which was a real shame.”

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Helmut Marko reveals what convinced him to sign Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel

Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel are two of the most successful drivers in Red Bull’s F1 history, with both winning four world titles each.

Reflecting on seeing them for the first time, Marko claimed that Vettel had an ‘indomitable will’ and Verstappen’s ‘goal’ was clear from the start.

He said: “I never signed a young driver unless I was convinced he was ready to give everything to achieve his goal. I was always at the racetrack, observing everything, and then making decisions based on my gut feeling.

“Today, every driver has to go into a simulator. The results, however, are 99 percent in line with my previous assessment.”

Marko continued: “When Vettel sat across from me at that table in my office, he had just won 18 out of 20 Formula BMW races. He was frustrated that he hadn’t won the other two as well. I remember that indomitable will.

“Verstappen gave the impression that the mind of a 25-year-old man resided in his 15-year-old body. Max had a clear goal, which was partly due to the extremely effective and rigorous training he received from his father.”