Juan Pablo Montoya has caused a stir in recent weeks with outspoken criticism of Max Verstappen. Ahead of the Canadian GP, Martin Brundle asked the former driver about his relationship with the Dutch F1 driver, to which the Colombian later stated in a podcast that he and Brundle ‘have never liked each other’. He clarified that he and Verstappen actually get along well and there is no drama between them.
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Montoya caused a stir in recent weeks by calling on the FIA to punish Max Verstappen for his criticism of the current F1 regulations. “You have to show respect for the sport,” he said in a BBC podcast. “I have no problem if a driver doesn’t like the regulations, but there should be consequences when you speak about your profession and your own sport in this way. Give him seven or eight penalty points on his license. I guarantee you he’ll behave differently after that.” Verstappen responded to the criticism to Telesport. “I don’t know what his problem is,” he sighed. “I also have very little patience for someone who talks so much nonsense.”
‘Never liked Brundle’
During his lap of the grid ahead of the Canadian GP, Martin Brundle ran into Montoya. “You’ve really stirred up the Verstappen camp again,” the British commentator said. “Is that something new?” the Colombian responded coolly. In an interview with a betting platform, Montoya explained the interaction. “Martin Brundle spoke to me on the starting grid,” he said. “By the way, he has never liked me and the feeling is mutual. He said: ‘I see you’ve irritated Max,’ to which I replied: ‘That’s nothing new.’”
“No, there is no drama between Max and me,” Montoya emphasized. “If he got angry about this, then he has more problems in his life than necessary. We have talked to each other during races, and actually we get along quite well. We don’t chat much, but we greet each other and I always say hello to Jos (Verstappen, ed.) as well,” Montoya explained. “I said that drivers who criticize Formula 1 should get penalty points or be disqualified, just like in any other sport. When asked if this also applied to Max, I simply said: ‘Yes.’”
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