Montoya proposes penalties for Verstappen: “Put him in the grandstands”
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has called on the sport’s governing bodies to consider sanctions against Max Verstappen, following the Dutch driver’s repeated criticism of the current technical regulations.
Verstappen’s criticism of the new regulations
The technical regulations introduced this season have generated significant controversy across the Formula 1 paddock, from fans to drivers. Among the most vocal critics has been Max Verstappen, who has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the changes since pre-season testing.
The four-time world champion compared the current cars to Mario Kart, describing them as “Formula E cars on steroids” and suggesting that the rules themselves are “anti-racing” in nature.
Montoya pushes for consequences
Such comments did not sit well with Juan Pablo Montoya, the former Williams and McLaren driver, who spoke about the issue during the BBC podcast Chequered Flag. The Colombian suggested that penalties could be introduced for drivers who publicly criticise the sport in such a manner.
“You have to respect the sport,” said the 50-year-old. “Personally, I don’t mind if drivers don’t like the regulations, but the way they speak about their sport, and how they present it, should have consequences.”
A radical proposal: adding penalty points
Montoya went further by proposing concrete sanctions for Verstappen, who currently has three penalty points on his FIA Super Licence following his incident with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
According to Montoya, additional points could be added to bring Verstappen closer to the maximum threshold of 12 points, which would automatically trigger a race ban if reached or exceeded.
“Put him in the grandstands,” Juan Pablo Montoya added. “Add seven or eight points to his licence. Whatever you do after that, it will be suspended. I guarantee you the communication would be completely different.”
“I’m not saying: ‘Don’t say you don’t like the regulations’, because if you don’t like them you have every right to express your opinion. It’s fine to be outspoken. I’m not saying not to be, but don’t come and call a Formula 1 car a Mario Kart.”
The role of team dynamics
In his final remarks, the former Williams and McLaren driver highlighted how internal team dynamics could influence such public statements:
“There are two aspects to consider: first, what he really thinks, and second, what the team is probably asking him to say. The political dynamics of this sport are very important, and the message that drivers receive—and are often asked to deliver—is guided.”
“They tell you that we need to push this point because it will help us a lot.”
The debate surrounding Max Verstappen’s vocal opposition to the 2026 framework highlights the tension between a driver’s freedom of speech and the professional image of the championship. As Montoya points out, the influence of team politics often colors these public statements, making it difficult to separate personal frustration from strategic maneuvering. Ultimately, the main idea is that while feedback is essential for the sport’s evolution, the manner in which it is delivered remains a point of contention among the legends of the paddock.
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