Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Lewis Hamilton’s aggressive defense against Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix is clear proof that the Ferrari star has not forgotten their contentious history.

While George Russell controlled the race at the Red Bull Ring to secure a commanding victory from pole position, the standout on-track action came from a fierce mid-race battle between old title rivals Hamilton and Verstappen. The pair engaged in a tense back-and-forth, trading positions while managing to keep the racing clean. Although Hamilton was investigated for potentially forcing Verstappen off the track, the stewards ultimately deemed that no further action was necessary.

Speaking during the post-race broadcast, Montoya shared his thoughts on the intense scrap. He explained that people often forget what happened between the two drivers in the past, but Hamilton certainly does not. The Colombian racing legend added that when a rival has run you over before, you never forget, and you will give it back to them if the opportunity arises, admitting he was giggling while watching the unbelievable action unfold.

The fierce rivalry between the two World Champions famously reached its boiling point during the unforgettable 2021 F1 season, which resulted in dramatic collisions at Silverstone, Monza, and Jeddah. Since that intense title fight, Verstappen has claimed three additional championships, while Hamilton battled through a difficult ground effect era with Mercedes before making his highly anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025.

Here is a quick look at how the key drivers finished the Austrian Grand Prix

1) George Russell secured the win after starting from pole position

2) Max Verstappen crossed the line in second place after starting from fifth

3) Lewis Hamilton finished in fifth place after starting third on the grid

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