Sebastian Montoya enters the 2026 Formula 2 Championship season as one of the talents on the grid. The young Colombian-American combines the ability to develop rapidly and the capability to adapt to different racing cars and team environments.
Sebastian Montoya path through karting
Born on April 11, 2005, Sebastian Montoya began karting at an early age, in the Florida Winter Tour, and from there to international competitions like the CIK.FIA Karting European Championship. In 2018, Montoya won the Rok the Rio competition.
He participated in the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships in 2020 and 2021 with PREMA Racing. In 2021, he achieved nine podiums in the Italian F4, finishing fourth overall, and three more podiums in the ADAC Formula 4.
In 2022, Montoya raced in the Formula Regional Asia and got two wins and three podiums. At the same time, he also participated in the Formula Regional Europe. That same year, Montoya took part in the last two races of the Formula 3 championship with Campos Racing. And there started his way to Formula 1.
Montoya and his way to Formula 1
Despite racing twice in Formula 3, his first full season in the championship was in 2023 with Hitech Plus-Eight, after joining the Red Bull Junior Team. As a rookie, he secured one podium and finished 16th, refining his racecraft and underlining steady development. In 2023, he also competed in the European Le Mans Series – LMP2 Pro with DragonSpeed USA. Competing in several racing series made him a driver capable of adapting quickly.
For his second season in Formula 3, Montoya switched teams and joined Campos Racing. In his debut with the Spanish team, Montoya achieved a podium and finished 17th. Consequently, in 2025, he was promoted to Formula 2 once again with PREMA Racing.
The transition to Formula 2 presented a new level of complexity. Known for its demanding tyres, strategic variability, and a highly competitive grid, the championship often separates promising drivers from those who are complete.
For Montoya, his rookie campaign included flashes of speed but inconsistencies as the 2025 season advanced. However, he secured three podiums and finished the season in 12th. Montoya’s 2025 had a difficult start as he struggled with the new chassis and occasionally struggled with pace.
However, the Colombian driver found his momentum during the European leg. It was his strongest period, securing his three podiums of the season. But as the campaign reached its end, Montoya went through a dry spell after Silverstone.
What are the 2026 expectations?
For the 2026 campaign, Sebastian Montoya remained with PREMA Racing as he became a key element for the team’s program, separating from the Red Bull programme he was part of since 2023. As of early April 2026, the season is in its early stages following the opening round in Melbourne, Australia.
Currently, Montoya is in 12th position with two points. During the Sprint Race, the PREMA Racing driver finished 9th, just outside the points. The same result happened during the Feature Race, securing his first two points of the season.
The scheduled rounds in Bahrain and Jeddah, originally set for April, were cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East, leading to a break in the calendar before the European leg of the season begins in June.
As the new season unfolds, the question is no longer whether Sebastian Montoya possesses the speed to compete at the front, but whether he can deliver it consistently. In a championship where fine margins often define outcomes, his ability to execute under pressure will be critical.
