Montoya rips apart ‘disrespectful’ Verstappen: ‘Park him!’

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has unloaded on Max Verstappen, accusing the four-time champion of disrespecting Formula 1 and urging the FIA to punish him with licence points that could trigger a race ban. Montoya’s sharp rebuke comes after Verstappen repeatedly slammed the 2026 rules overhaul, calling the future cars “Mario Kart” machinery.

Why it matters:

The clash underscores a growing tension between drivers’ right to free expression and the sport’s need to protect its image. If the FIA were to follow Montoya’s advice, it would set a dramatic precedent for how outspoken criticism is handled — potentially silencing one of F1’s most influential voices.

The details:

• Speaking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Montoya said: “You’ve got to respect the sport. The way you were speaking about what you’re living off, there should be consequences.”
• He proposed adding seven or eight penalty points to Verstappen’s super licence — a move that would push the Dutchman dangerously close to an automatic race ban under FIA rules.
• “Park him! I guarantee you all the messaging would be different,” Montoya added.
• Verstappen’s frustration has been building for months, with comparisons ranging from “Mario Kart” to “Formula E on steroids.” Montoya accepts drivers can dislike changes, but draws the line at belittling the sport.
• Montoya also hinted that Verstappen’s comments may be guided by Red Bull’s political agenda: “A lot of them are guided — they tell you we really need to push for this because it will help us.”

What’s next:

Verstappen has never shied away from speaking his mind, and this controversy is unlikely to soften his tone. The question now is whether the FIA will take formal action — or whether Montoya’s fiery call will remain just another opinion in a sport long accustomed to strong personalities.