Juan Pablo Montoya’s racing career is filled with impressive achievements, but not everyone saw him as a perfect driver.
- Helmut Marko had some colorful opinions about Montoya, recalling both his speed and his flaws.
- Despite his talent, Montoya’s unhealthy habits and mistakes on the track left an impression.
- Marko remembers Montoya’s unusual focus on finding the best McDonald’s in Graz over racing strategies.
- In the end, Montoya and Marko became good friends, and the story of Montoya’s potential remains compelling.
Juan Pablo Montoya’s journey through various top-tier racing championships has made him a legend, but he wasn’t always viewed through a purely positive lens. In an exclusive interview, Helmut Marko shared some intriguing and candid memories about Montoya’s time under his wing.
Montoya started his racing career in Colombia and Mexico before making a risky move to Europe. Joining RSM Marko in the International Formula 3000 series in 1997, he displayed remarkable speed. In a series designed as a cost-effective alternative to Formula Two, Montoya won three races and secured several other top finishes. Despite these accomplishments, he narrowly missed out on the championship due to two retirements, a disqualification, and a non-points finish.
However, Marko’s memories of Montoya go beyond his on-track performance. ‘Juan Pablo, he came here to Graz,’ Marko reminisced. ‘The first thing he asked me was which of the four McDonald’s in Graz was the best. So his food was unhealthy, he was a lazy bastard. But he was unbelievably fast.’
Montoya’s raw speed was undeniable, but Marko recalls it came with significant drawbacks. ‘He made so many stupid mistakes. We were leading the first race in England and he crashed,’ Marko said, comparing Montoya’s errors to those of his son, Sebastian Montoya. Despite these challenges, Marko acknowledged Montoya’s immense talent but lamented his squandered potential. ‘He wasted his talent. He could have been multiple F1 World Champion.’
The relationship between Montoya and Marko wasn’t always harmonious. There were periods of silence and tension, but it eventually evolved into a friendship. As for Sebastian Montoya, the family legacy continues. Now a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, the younger Montoya competes in Formula 3 and has shown promise with a second-place finish at Spa.
Despite the ups and downs in their professional relationship, Marko and Montoya now share a bond forged from years of highs and lows. The tale of Montoya’s career is a mix of brilliance and missed opportunities, painting a vivid picture of talent juxtaposed with what-ifs.
In the end, Montoya’s story is one of immense skill tinged with unrealized potential, leaving an indelible mark on those who witnessed his career.
