Sebastián Montoya Explained

Sebastian Montoya
Nationality: Colombian
Full Name:Sebastian Montoya Freydell
Birth Date:11 April 2005
Birth Place:Miami, United States
Related To:Juan Pablo Montoya (father)
Federico Montoya (uncle)
Racing Licence: FIA Silver
Current Series:FIA Formula 3 Championship
First Year:2022
Current Team:Campos Racing
Former Teams:Hitech Pulse-Eight
Car Number:11
Starts:24 (24 entries)
Wins:0
Podiums:2
Poles:0
Fastest Laps:1
Best Finish:2th
Year:2024
Prev Series:FR Middle East Championship
FR European Championship
IMSA SportsCar Championship
FR Asian Championship
Italian F4 Championship
ADAC Formula 4
Prev Series Years:2023
2022
2022
2022
20202021
20202021

Sebastián "Sebas" Montoya Freydell (born 11 April 2005) is a Colombian racing driver who is competing in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Campos Racing. He is the son of the former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya, and is currently a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.[1]

Career

Karting career

Montoya started his competitive karting career in 2013, racing in the Rotax Micro Max class of the Florida Winter Tour when he was just eight years old.[2] He proceeded to race in that series for the following four years, where he achieved a best result of fifth in 2016.[3] Montoya then moved to Europe to compete in the CIK-FIA Karting European Championship in 2017. Montoya spent a total of three years in the European Karting scene, twice driving in the Karting World Championship and thrice in the European Championship. In his time in karts Montoya only won one championship at an international level; this being the Rok the Rio competition in 2018.[4]

Formula 4

2020

In 2020 Montoya made his single-seater debut with Prema Powerteam, racing full-time in the Italian F4 Championship and competing in two rounds of the ADAC F4 Championship.[5] Unfortunately for Montoya, he was unable to score any podiums throughout the year, and finished eleventh in his main campaign, behind his three teammates Gabriele Minì, Dino Beganovic and Gabriel Bortoleto.[6] [7]

2021

Montoya re-signed with Prema for the 2021 season, returning to the Italian and German F4 series.[8] He would run a part-time campaign in the latter, finishing second thrice in the six races he competed in, putting him ninth in the standings, ahead of three full-time competitors.[9] Montoya's Italian campaign would be just as fruitful: netting nine podiums but no wins, Montoya finished fourth at the end of the year, being narrowly beaten by teammate Kirill Smal due to a spin in safety car conditions at the final race of the season in Monza.[10]

Formula Regional

2022

At the start of 2022 Montoya made his debut in the Formula Regional Asian Championship with Mumbai Falcons India Racing.[11] After scoring pole position for the first race,[12] Montoya scored his first car racing win of his career in a lights-to-flag victory.[13] Montoya took his second win during the third round at the Dubai Autodrome, also from pole position.[14] [15] He was ultimately unable to finish the season, but ended the championship in 7th place with 92 points.[16]

Montoya moved up to the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship with Prema Racing.[17] [18] Montoya started his season strongly, taking two eighth places and a fourth place in the opening three races. Just before his weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, Montoya announced that he had started receiving backing and sponsorship from Red Bull, marking him as a Red Bull athlete.[19] However, he failed to score a single point during the final eight races, and finished 13th in the standings with 44 points.[20]

2023

At the start of 2023, Montoya competed the full season in the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship with Hitech Grand Prix.[21] Montoya finished the season 21st in the standings, scoring only two points finishes.[22]

FIA Formula 3 Championship

2022

Due to Oliver Goethe's Euroformula Open commitments, Montoya replaced him and made his first F3 appearance in Zandvoort, driving for Campos Racing whilst Hunter Yeany recovered from a wrist injury.[23] Following free practice in which he ended 17th, Montoya stated that "the car is a massive step" and "it's been quite good though."[24] He qualified seventh as a red flag thwarted his rivals attempts to improve their lap times.[25] Montoya finished both races in eighth place,[26] being the only one in the Campos team to score points during the weekend. Montoya was ranked 21st in the final standings classification.[27]

In late September, Montoya partook in the post-season test that year with Hitech Grand Prix at Jerez.[28]

2023

In January 2023, Montoya was announced as a Hitech Pulse-Eight driver for the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship.[29] The season opener in Bahrain proved successful, advancing to tenth in the sprint race from 14th.[30] He continued to score points in the feature race, securing ninth place.[31] In Melbourne, Montoya qualified on reverse pole in 12th.[32] He would finish in third after losing the lead to Franco Colapinto and Zak O'Sullivan, but nevertheless it was his maiden podium in F3.[33] However, race winner Colapinto was disqualified post-race, promoted Montoya to second place.[34] In the feature race, he was involved in a race-ending collision with Nikola Tsolov, where the Colombian's suspension broke upon contact.[35] In Monaco, Montoya showed promising pace, qualifying sixth and ending seventh in the sprint race. The feature race looked set for another good result, however when fighting over fifth place with Caio Collet, he made contact and damaged his front wing.[36] Montoya would be penalised for the incident and was later disqualified post-race after a left tyre was found to have been used on the wrong side during his pit stop.[37]

In Barcelona, Montoya fought with Paul Aron for fourth until they made contact, the former coming out with a puncture and dropping to the back of the field, and was later given a penalty for failing to follow race director's instructions, which was to go on the left of the bollards.[38] [39] He made up for lost points during the feature race, by finishing seventh. In Austria, after finishing ninth in the sprint, Montoya charged up from 15th to contending for a podium position. On the final lap, Montoya tried to snatch third place from Colapinto, but collided with him instead and fell to tenth, before being further penalised for that incident.[40] [41] In Silverstone, Montoya led the race early on from reverse pole for the first 13 laps, and was hit from behind by Taylor Barnard following the safety car restart, which dropped him out of the top 10. He eventually crossed the line in eighth place.[42] He finished to eleventh place in the feature race, before benefitting two positions from Collet and Tommy Smith's penalties to move into tenth place.[43] [44]

Hungary was the first weekend where he failed to score points, but rebounded in Spa-Francorchamps with sixth place in the feature race, having started on the correct wet tyres on a damp track.[45] In Monza, he ended his season in disappointment after being punted into the gravel and was out.[46] Overall, Montoya ended the season in a disappointing 16th place in the standings, with 37 points.[47] [48] During the post-season test, he tested for Campos Racing for the Jerez.[49] He then took part in the Macau Grand Prix for the team,[50] but was unable to make the start and finished the race a few laps down.[51]

2024

Montoya reunited with Campos Racing for the 2024 season, where he partners Mari Boya and fellow Red Bull junior Oliver Goethe.[52]

Endurance racing

2022

Montoya tested an endurance racing car for the first time during the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test.[53]

Montoya made his endurance debut during the 2022 IMSA SportsCar Championship, partaking in selected rounds for DragonSpeed Racing alongside his father.[54] He was initially supposed to partake in the 2022 24 Hours of Daytona during late January, but was scrapped due to his clashing commitments in the Formula Regional Asian Championship.[55]

2023

Montoya competed in the 2023 European Le Mans Series, driving for DragonSpeed USA in the LMP2 category alongside his father again.[56] He finished seventh in the standings.[57]

Formula One

At the start of 2023, Montoya was announced to be joining the Red Bull Junior Team.[58]

Personal life

Montoya's father is Juan Pablo Montoya, a seven-time Formula One Grand Prix winner and former IndyCar driver.[59] He has two sisters, Paulina and Manuela.

Karting record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2013Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro Max24th
2014Florida Winter Tour — AM Racing Kart Formula TaG Cadet18th
Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro MaxAM7th
2015Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Micro Max5th
Florida Winter Tour — Mini ROK9th
2016Florida Winter Tour — Rotax Mini Max5th
Florida Winter Tour — Mini ROK8th
Rotax Max Challenge Colombia — Mini Max13th
SKUSA SuperNationals XX — Mini SwiftTeam Montoya14th
ROK Cup International Final — Mini ROKBirel Art Racing28th
2017SKUSA SuperNationals XXI — X30 Junior classTeam Montoya5th
Florida Winter Tour — Junior ROK9th
CIK-FIA European ChampionshipOKJ55th
2018AMR Motorplex Karting Challenge — TaG Junior9th
Florida Winter Tour — Junior ROK30th
WSK Super Master SeriesOKJ20th
ROK the Rio — Junior ROKTeam Montoya1st
SKUSA SuperNationals XXII — X30 Junior class11th
CIK-FIA European Junior ChampionshipOKJTony Kart Racing Team43rd
CIK-FIA Karting World Championship — Junior30th
23° South Garda Winter Cup — OKJ28th
2019ROK the Rio — Senior ROKTeam Montoya32nd
Florida Winter Tour — Senior ROK33rd
CIK-FIA Karting European ChampionshipOKTony Kart Racing Team24th
FIA Karting World ChampionshipOK28th
WSK Euro SeriesOK31st
WSK Super Master SeriesOK18th
24° South Garda Winter Cup — OK31st
2020Florida Winter Tour — Shifter ROKTeam Montoya20th
SKUSA Winter Series — X30 Senior
Source:[60]

Racing record

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2020ADAC Formula 4 Championshipalign=left rowspan=2Prema Powerteam600001017th
Italian F4 Championship2000008111th
2021ADAC Formula 4 Championshipalign=left rowspan=2Prema Powerteam60023729th
Italian F4 Championship2102491944th
2022Formula Regional Asian ChampionshipMumbai Falcons India Racing92323927th
Formula Regional European ChampionshipPrema Racing2000004413th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - LMP2DragonSpeed - 10 Star3000189313th
FIA Formula 3 ChampionshipCampos Racing200 00721st
2023FIA Formula 3 ChampionshipHitech Pulse-Eight1800013716th
Formula Regional Middle East ChampionshipHitech Grand Prix1500001221st
European Le Mans Series - LMP2 Pro-AmDragonSpeed USA60010447th
Macau Grand PrixCampos Racing10000N/ANC
2024FIA Formula 3 ChampionshipCampos Racing4000011*12th*

Complete ADAC Formula 4 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021PosPoints
2020nowrapPrema PowerteamLAU1
1
LAU1
2
LAU1
3
NÜR1
1

NÜR1
2

NÜR1
3

HOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

NÜR2
1
NÜR2
2
NÜR2
3
RBR
1
RBR
2
RBR
3
LAU2
1
LAU2
2
LAU2
3
OSC
1
OSC
2
OSC
3
17th10
2021nowrapPrema PowerteamRBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

ZAN
1

ZAN
2

ZAN
3

NÜR
1
NÜR
2
NÜR
3
HOC1
1
HOC1
2
HOC1
3
SAC
1
SAC
2
SAC
3
HOC2
1
HOC2
2
HOC2
3
9th72

Complete Italian F4 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021PosPoints
2020nowrapPrema PowerteamMIS
1

MIS
2

MIS
3

IMO1
1
IMO1
2
IMO1
3
RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

MUG
1

MUG
2

MUG
3

MNZ
1

MNZ
2

MNZ
3

IMO2
1
IMO2
2
IMO2
3
VLL
1

VLL
2

VLL
3

11th81
2021nowrapPrema PowerteamLEC
1

LEC
2

LEC
3

MIS
1

MIS
2

MIS
3

VLL
1

VLL
2

VLL
3

IMO
1
IMO
2
IMO
3

RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

MUG
1

MUG
2

MUG
3

MNZ
1

MNZ
2

MNZ
3

4th194

Complete Formula Regional Asian Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete Formula Regional European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)

YearEntrant1234567891011121314151617181920DCPoints
2022nowrapCampos RacingBHR
SPR
BHR
FEA
IMO
SPR
IMO
FEA
CAT
SPR
CAT
FEA
SIL
SPR
SIL
FEA
RBR
SPR
RBR
FEA
HUN
SPR
HUN
FEA
SPA
SPR

SPA
FEA

ZAN
SPR

ZAN
FEA

MNZ
SPR
MNZ
FEA
21st7
2023nowrapHitech Pulse-EightBHR
SPR

BHR
FEA

MEL
SPR

MEL
FEA

MON
SPR

MON
FEA

CAT
SPR

CAT
FEA

RBR
SPR

RBR
FEA

SIL
SPR

SIL
FEA

HUN
SPR

HUN
FEA

SPA
SPR

SPA
FEA

MNZ
SPR

MNZ
FEA

16th37
2024nowrapCampos RacingBHR
SPR

BHR
FEA

MEL
SPR

MEL
FEA

IMO
SPR

IMO
FEA

MON
SPR

MON
FEA

CAT
SPR

CAT
FEA

RBR
SPR

RBR
FEA

SIL
SPR

SIL
FEA

HUN
SPR

HUN
FEA

SPA
SPR

SPA
FEA

MNZ
SPR

MNZ
FEA

15th*40*

Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete European Le Mans Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete Macau Grand Prix results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sebastian Montoya. 20 November 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  2. Web site: Florida Winter Tour - Rotax Micro Max 2013 standings Driver Database. 4 June 2021. DriverDB.
  3. Web site: Florida Winter Tour - Rotax Mini Max 2016 standings. 20 February 2023. DriverDB. en.
  4. Web site: Montoya & Musso ROK The Rio – KartSportNews. 9 November 2018 . 4 June 2021. en-US.
  5. Web site: Juan Pablo Montoya's son Sebastian Montoya takes first step towards F1 with F4 seat Formula 1®. 4 June 2021. Formula 1. en.
  6. Web site: Wood. Ida. 23 December 2020. The standout Formula 4 drivers around the world in 2020. 4 June 2021. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  7. Web site: Italian F.4 Championship Powered by Abarth 2020 standings. 18 January 2023. DriverDB. en.
  8. Web site: Wood. Ida. 26 February 2021. Sebastian Montoya stays at Prema for second year in Italian F4. 4 June 2021. Formula Scout. en-US.
  9. Web site: ADAC Formula 4 Championship 2021 standings. 18 January 2023. DriverDB. en.
  10. Web site: Gascoigne. Roger. 31 October 2021. Flawless Bearman completes Monza hat-trick in Italian F4 finale. 12 March 2022. Formula Scout. en-US.
  11. Web site: Wood. Ida. 10 January 2022. Mumbai Falcons gets three Ferrari juniors and Montoya for FRAC. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  12. Web site: Wood. Ida. 21 January 2022. Mini and Montoya on Yas Marina poles for FRegional Asian round one. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  13. Web site: Formula Regional Asia Abu Dhabi #1 2022: Sebastian Montoya fa sua Gara 1 P300.it. 22 January 2022. www.p300.it. 22 January 2022 . it-IT.
  14. Web site: Wood. Ida. 5 February 2022. Montoya and van't Hoff handle the heat to claim FRAC poles. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  15. Web site: Woollard. Craig. 5 February 2022. Montoya heads Mumbai Falcons 1-2-3 in red-flagged Dubai race. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  16. Web site: Formula Regional Asian Championship - 2022: Point standings. 18 January 2023. speedsport-magazine.com. en.
  17. Web site: Wood. Ida. 20 January 2022. Sebastian Montoya steps up to FREC with Prema. 21 April 2022. Formula Scout. en-US.
  18. Web site: 20 January 2020. Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with PREMA Racing. 20 January 2022. Prema Powerteam.
  19. Web site: Juan Pablo Montoya's son Sebastian joins Red Bull Athletes roster. 27 July 2022. 29 July 2022. F1 Feeder Series.
  20. Web site: Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2022 standings. 8 January 2023. DriverDB. en.
  21. Web site: Wood. Ida. 7 January 2023. Hitech GP to run six drivers in FRegional Middle East. 8 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  22. Web site: Wood. Ida. 20 February 2023. Montoya: FRME didn't go to plan but I now understand the theory for FIA F3. 20 February 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  23. Web site: Wood. Ida. 31 August 2022. Sebastian Montoya to make F3 debut with Campos. 1 September 2022. Formula Scout. en-US.
  24. Web site: Montoya happy after fast start with Campos Racing in Free Practice. 2 September 2022. 6 September 2022. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  25. Web site: QUALIFYING: Maloney seizes pole as Zandvoort brings late drama. 2 September 2022. 6 September 2022. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  26. Web site: Sebas Montoya takes double points-paying result on FIA F3 debut at Zandvoort. 6 September 2022. Campos Racing.
  27. Web site: Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 3 2022 Championship. 8 October 2022. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  28. Web site: Wood. Ida. 20 September 2022. FIA F3 reveals full entry list for post-season Jerez test. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  29. Web site: Hitech Grand Prix confirms Sebastián Montoya for 2023 season. 18 January 2023. 18 January 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  30. Web site: Montoya: Sprint Race 'scrap' shows Hitech Pulse-Eight potential. 4 March 2023. 21 May 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  31. Web site: Montoya racing hard in F3 Bahrain opener. 5 March 2023. 21 May 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  32. Web site: Oakes: Missing pole a frustration but Hitech Pulse-Eight trio all in the mix. 31 March 2023. 21 May 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  33. Web site: 2023 Round 2 post-Sprint Race press conference. 1 April 2023. 21 May 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  34. Web site: Colapinto loses Sprint Race win after technical infringement. 1 April 2023. 21 May 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  35. Web site: Juniors take Melbourne F2 double and points lead. 4 April 2023. 21 May 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  36. Web site: FEATURE RACE: Minì breezes to maiden victory in Monte Carlo masterclass. 28 May 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  37. Web site: Montoya penalised following Monte Carlo Feature Race. 28 May 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  38. Web site: SPRINT RACE: O'Sullivan holds off Browning for Barcelona victory. 3 June 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  39. Web site: Three drivers penalised following Barcelona Sprint Race. 3 June 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  40. Web site: Floersch disqualified and Montoya and Yeany penalised after Spielberg Feature Race. 2 July 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  41. Web site: Montoya misses F3 Feature podium on final lap. 3 July 2023. 9 August 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  42. Web site: SPRINT RACE: Colapinto takes victory after Silverstone downpour. 8 July 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  43. Web site: Several drivers handed post-Silverstone Feature Race penalties. 9 July 2023. 9 August 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  44. Web site: Sebastian Montoya knocked out of F3 winning possibility. 10 July 2023. 9 August 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  45. Web site: Sebastian Montoya with a good F3 Feature result in Spa. 31 July 2023. 9 August 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  46. Web site: Sebastian Montoya ends the F3 year with a crazy Monza. 4 September 2023. 19 September 2023. Red Bull. redbull.com. en.
  47. Web site: Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 3 2023 Championship. 5 September 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  48. Web site: Montoya: 'Rollercoaster' rookie season taught me 'you can't always try to be the hero in F3'. 16 November 2023. 20 November 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  49. Web site: Wood. Ida. 3 October 2023. Campos announces Boya, Goethe and Montoya for FIA F3 tests. 4 October 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  50. Web site: Campos Racing announces Martí, Goethe and Montoya for Macau F3 Grand Prix. 20 November 2023. Campos Racing. en.
  51. Web site: Martí claims Top-5 finish on his debut in Macau. Goethe fights back to 9th. 20 November 2023. Campos Racing. en.
  52. Web site: Sebastián Montoya completes Campos Racing's 2024 line-up. 13 December 2023. 14 December 2023. FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. en.
  53. Web site: Wood. Ida. 2 November 2021. Peroni details sportscar ambitions as he enters WEC's rookie test. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  54. Web site: DragonSpeed Confirm LMP2 Campaign In IMSA In 2022 For Hedman & Montoya. Goodwin. Graham. 15 December 2021. dailysportscar. 3 October 2022.
  55. Web site: Wood. Ida. 25 January 2022. Fleet of Road to Indy stars racing in Daytona 24 Hours. 18 January 2023. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  56. Web site: European Le Mans Series Confirm 42 Car Full Season Entry. 6 February 2023. 20 February 2023. dailysportscar.com. en.
  57. Web site: European Le Mans Series - LMP2 Pro/Am 2023. 20 November 2023. DriverDB. en.
  58. Web site: Juan Pablo Montoya's son Sebastian joins Red Bull Junior Team and sets 'ultimate goal' of F1. 10 January 2023. 11 January 2023. Formula 1. en.
  59. Web site: Vinel. Benjamin. 7 May 2021. Meet Sebastian Montoya, Juan Pablo's son aiming for F1. 4 June 2021. Motorsport.com. en.
  60. Web site: Sebastian Montoya Racing career profile Driver Database. 3 October 2022. Driver DB.