Montoya makes a proposal to penalize Verstappen: “Put him in the stands”

Verstappen’s criticisms The technical regulations that came into force this season have sparked quite a bit of controversy in the world of Formula 1, from spectators to drivers. Among these, the one who did not at all agree with the innovations introduced in the Circus was Max Verstappen, who from the pre-season tests onwards compared the cars to Mario Kart, defining them as “Formula E on steroids” and with anti-race regulations. Montoya doesn’t accept Concepts and definitions that are not at all liked by a former Formula 1 driver like Juan Pablo Montoya, who in the BBC podcast, Checkered Flag, would have proposed penalties to the four-time world champion such as the addition of points to his FIA Superlicence, or even disqualification for a race: “We must respect the sport – commented the 50-year-old Colombian – as far as I’m concerned, I don’t mind if the drivers don’t appreciate the regulations, but the way in which they talk about their sport, and how they live it, it should have consequences.” Montoya’s proposal relating to Verstappen, who currently has accumulated three penalty points on his Superlicense for the accident that occurred in the last Spanish GP with Russell, would be to add more to get closer to the maximum quota of 12, which once reached or exceeded would lead to automatic disqualification for one GP. An absence from the track that Montoya would not have ruled out at all: “Put him in the stands – he added – add seven or eight points to your license. Whatever you do after that, it will be suspended. I guarantee you that 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 blunt. I’m not saying not to be, but don’t come and call an F1 car a Mario Karting”. In conclusion, the former Williams and Mercedes player underlined that the internal dynamics of the team could influence his statements: “There are two aspects to consider: first, what he really thinks, and second, what the team probably asks him to say. The political dynamics of this sport are very important, and the message that the drivers receive and that they often ask to give is guided. They tell you that we must insist on this point because it will help us a lot.”

Automobile Magazine – F1 English News
2026-05-05 21:00:00