Montoya: Penalty points needed to curb Verstappen's F1 complaints

Juan Pablo Montoya has called for Max Verstappen to receive penalty points on his super licence for publicly criticizing Formula 1's new regulations, warning that constant complaints can turn “political” and harm the sport.

The seven-time Grand Prix winner believes Verstappen’s vocal unhappiness with the 2026-style energy management rules – which he previously likened to “Mario Kart” – crosses a line. Speaking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Montoya said: “You’ve got to respect the sport. 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.”

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s critiques, while echoing a common driver frustration, risk undermining F1's credibility. Montoya argues that unchecked negativity could fuel political agendas – a dynamic he experienced firsthand in 2003 when Ferrari influenced a mid-season tire change that cost him the title. Penalties, he insists, would force drivers to choose their words more carefully.

The details:

• Montoya suggests adding “seven or eight points” to Verstappen’s licence, enough to trigger a race ban. “Park him,” he said bluntly.
• Verstappen has repeatedly slammed the 2022-era ground effect regulations that emphasize battery harvesting. Even after a minor energy management tweak in Miami, he said drivers are still “punished” by having to “go a bit slower in places to go faster.”
• Montoya drew comparisons to the 2003 title fight, where Ferrari protested Williams' tire width. Bridgestone was forced to redesign the front tire, and Williams lost grip. “If they had not changed that tire, I probably would’ve been world champion,” Montoya recalled. “That was a political move.”
• He also hinted that some driver complaints are team-driven: “Politics of the sport are really important, and the message the drivers come across … a lot of them are guided.”

What's next:

The FIA has no indication of penalizing Verstappen for his remarks, but Montoya’s call adds to a growing debate about driver conduct. With the championship tightening and Mercedes emerging as the team to beat, expect the rhetoric around energy management – and potential political maneuvering – to intensify. Verstappen’s next chance to voice his views? The upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.