‘He talks nonsense’ – Max Verstappen erupts after penalty points call | F1 | Sport
Max Verstappen has fired back at Juan Pablo Montoya stating he should face a punishment for criticising the new Formula One regulations. The Red Bull driver has been particularly critical of the changes to cars with Montoya going as far as stating he should have points added to his license which has unsurprisingly generated an angry response from Verstappen.
Speaking to De Telegraaf on the seven-time world champion, he said: “I don’t know what his problem is. I can’t really be bothered with someone who talks so much rubbish. I just don’t understand why people like that are paid by Formula 1 management, because he sometimes works for them. Surely you don’t want someone like that in the paddock, spouting so much nonsense?
“I think it’s a case of: ‘I’ll say something different from everyone else, then I’ll be relevant’. I don’t really care; it’s his problem. I live my life and don’t let it affect me.” The Dutchman later added: “Sometimes I can read people quite easily. And someone gives you a certain feeling, good or bad. When I’m done with someone, I’m really done with them.”
Verstappen has endured a tough 2026 season thus far and has regularly slammed the engine changes. He even hinted at retiring from the sport at the end of the year and despite it being clear that he was getting fed up by the rules, Montoya brutally stated what decision-makers should do in response to his comments.
“You’ve got to respect the sport,” he told the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast. “I’m okay you not liking the regulations, but the way you were speaking about what you’re living off and your own sport, there should be consequences for that. Park him. Add seven points to the licence, eight points to the licence, [so] that whatever you do after, you’re going to be parked.
“I guarantee you all the messaging would be different. I’m not saying, ‘Don’t say that you don’t like the regulations’, because if you don’t like them, you have the complete right to an opinion. It’s okay to be outspoken. I’m not saying don’t be outspoken, but don’t come and call an F1 car a Mario Kart.”
An agreement over a key engine change between F1 bossess that would see electric power reduced and combustion power increased has since emerged. Speaking on the proposal, Verstappen said: “It’s definitely heading into a very positive direction. I think it’s the minimum I was hoping for. I think it’s really nice that’s what they want to do.
“That’s definitely what I think also the sport needs. If it stays like this, it’s going to be a long year next year that I don’t want. When asked what it would mean for his future, he added: “It’s just mentally not doable for me if it stays like this. It’s really not.”
