Juan Pablo Montoya believes the FIA should take a tougher stance against Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has been openly critical of the new F1 regulations in recent months. Statements like ‘Formula E on steroids’ and comparisons to Mario Kart have spread worldwide. According to Montoya, constructive feedback is allowed, but the FIA should impose heavy penalties when Verstappen deliberately drags the sport through the mud.
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“You have to show respect for the sport,” said Montoya 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,” the Colombian referred to Verstappen’s statements. He suggested that critics should even receive significant penalty points in the future, so a suspension hangs over their heads – with twelve penalty points on your license, you must sit out one race.
‘Put him aside’
“Put him (Verstappen, ed.) aside,” said Montoya. “Give him seven, eight penalty points on his license. I guarantee you he will sing a different tune after that.” Even during the recent Miami GP, in which the FIA implemented some regulatory changes to improve the quality of racing, Verstappen remained openly critical. Incidentally, he was not the only one; Lando Norris – who finished second in Florida – stated afterwards that Formula 1 ‘needs to get off the battery’.
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Montoya emphasized that he has no objection when drivers express their opinions about the regulations, but the criticism must remain constructive. “I’m not saying you have to like the regulations,” clarified the seven-time race winner. “If you don’t like them, you always have the right to express your opinion. But don’t compare an F1 car to Mario Kart.” He finally explained that drivers’ statements are also influenced by the politics within the team. “Two things play a role: first what a driver really feels, and second what the team probably asks him to say,” he explained. “Politics in the sport is very important, and the message drivers convey is often directed. The team will instruct them to speak out about something because it can help them.”
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