Max Verstappen has responded forcefully to criticism from former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who called for Verstappen to be penalised and effectively sidelined over his comments about the technical regulations. The Red Bull driver dismissed Montoya’s comments and questioned his role in the sport’s media landscape, further fuelling the ongoing debate about the influence of former drivers on modern F1 commentary.
This exchange comes at a tense time for Verstappen, who has had a difficult start to the season and is currently far behind in the championship standings.
In an interview with De Telegraaf, Verstappen dismissed Montoya’s comments, arguing that they lacked substance and credibility, and suggesting that they were intended to generate attention rather than provide meaningful analysis.
Montoya’s call for penalties sparked controversy
The dispute began after the Miami Grand Prix, where Montoya criticised Verstappen’s public comments on Formula 1’s technical regulations. The former driver even suggested that the FIA should intervene more aggressively.
“Add seven points to his licence, eight points. Whatever you do, he gets parked. I guarantee you, all the messaging would be different,” said Montoya, arguing that stronger disciplinary action would change how Verstappen expresses his views.
Montoya’s comments quickly circulated across the paddock, not because criticism of drivers is unusual, but because his suggestion effectively implied that Verstappen should be removed from the competition in order to silence him.
This prompted a strong reaction from the Dutchman, who has rarely engaged so directly with media personalities throughout his career.
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Verstappen questioned Montoya’s credibility
He did not hold back when addressing the remarks, expressing confusion over Montoya’s position and his continued visibility in Formula 1 media coverage.
“I don’t understand why F1 pays him,” he said, before adding: “I don’t know what his problem is. I can’t do much with someone who spouts so much nonsense either.”
Verstappen further questioned Montoya’s intent, suggesting that his comments were not grounded in technical understanding or constructive analysis.
“You don’t want someone like that in the paddock who spouts so much nonsense, do you?” Verstappen continued, implying that former drivers should carry more responsibility in their broadcasting roles.
He also hinted that Montoya’s approach may be driven by a desire for attention rather than insight.
“I think it’s a case of: If I say something different from everyone else, then I’m relevant,” he said, framing the criticism as a strategy for gaining visibility rather than offering an informed opinion.
The media role of former drivers and the politics involved
Montoya, who raced in Formula 1 for Williams and McLaren between 2001 and 2006, has built a second career away from professional racing as a motorsport pundit. He won seven Grands Prix and was known for aggressive driving and outspoken confidence during his racing days, traits that have carried into his media persona.
His recent suggestion that Verstappen should be penalised more heavily than standard licence enforcement guidelines allow has reignited discussion about where analysis ends and provocation begins in modern F1 coverage.
While former drivers are often valued for their insider perspective, their increasingly blunt commentary can sometimes blur the line between critique and controversy.
Verstappen’s response highlights a tension between current drivers and certain elements of the media, something that has been the case with the Dutchman for many years now. While drivers are expected to accept scrutiny, they are also increasingly pushing back when they perceive commentary to be exaggerated or detached from technical reality.
Red Bull’s struggles add context to the tension-filled exchange
Against the backdrop of a challenging season for Red Bull and Verstappen himself, the controversy has emerged. The Dutchman currently sits seventh in the championship standings with 26 points, a significant drop from his previous dominance in the sport.
Meanwhile, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is leading the standings with 100 points for Mercedes, highlighting the competitive shift that has occurred in the early stages of the season. Verstappen’s recent form contrasts sharply with his earlier success, which included multiple victories during the closing stages of the previous campaign.
Verstappen himself described the team’s progress as incremental, referring to ‘baby steps’ in development as they attempt to regain competitiveness.
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Thiago Treze is a Brazilian motorsport writer at TJ13 with a background in sports journalism and broadcast media, alongside an academic foundation in engineering with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This combination of technical knowledge and editorial experience allows Thiago to approach Formula 1 from both a performance and narrative perspective.
At TJ13, Treze covers driver performance, career developments, and key storylines across the Formula 1 grid, while also analysing the technical factors that influence competitiveness. This includes aerodynamic development trends, simulation-driven design approaches, and the engineering decisions that shape race weekend outcomes.
His reporting bridges the gap between human performance and machine development, helping readers understand how driver execution and technical innovation interact in modern Formula 1. Coverage often connects on-track events with the underlying engineering philosophies that define each team’s approach.
With a global perspective shaped by both journalism and technical study, Thiago also focuses on Formula 1’s international reach and the different ways the sport is experienced across regions.
Treze has a particular interest in how Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic modelling contribute to car performance, offering accessible explanations of complex technical concepts within Formula 1.
TOTALLY agree with MV here. JPM’s suggestion is quite ridiculous – if they ARE paying him, maybe HE should be removed from the F1 arena – and with immediate effect