Max Verstappen deals with former driver Juan Pablo Montoya. The four-time F1 champion has recently faced a lot of criticism from the Colombian. Montoya claimed, among other things, that Verstappen should receive penalty points and possibly even a suspension due to his comments on the new regulations. Verstappen remains unfazed, although he is surprised that someone who, according to him, ‘talks so much nonsense’ still gets a podium in the paddock.
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Montoya has attracted a lot of criticism in recent weeks with a series of strong statements about Verstappen. In a guest appearance for the BBC, he called for harsher penalties and even suspensions for the Dutchman. “You have to show respect for the sport,” he said. “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.”
Montoya also serves as a commentator and analyst for F1TV. During the recent Miami GP, he was again notably critical of Verstappen. While many experts – including Martin Brundle – spoke of brilliant driving skills by the Dutchman, Montoya judged that he was mostly lucky. “Do you call that talent? I think it was purely luck,” he said about the Red Bull driver’s opening lap.
‘I don’t care’
In an interview with Telesport, Verstappen was asked about Montoya’s criticism. “I don’t know what his problem is,” he sighed. “I also can’t do much with someone who talks so much nonsense. I just don’t understand why such types are paid by FOM. You don’t want someone in the paddock who talks so much nonsense, do you? I think it’s a case of: ‘I say something different than everyone else, so I stay relevant.’ I don’t care much; it’s his problem. I live my life and don’t let it influence me.”
When asked, Verstappen confirmed that his years of experience in top sports allow him to read people well. “Yes, sometimes I can read people quite easily. Someone can give you a certain feeling, good or bad. And once I’m done with someone, I’m really done. If someone can only babble nonsense and has negative motives, I quickly lose interest.”
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