Montoya Calls for Verstappen Penalty Points Over F1 Criticism

Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has called for Max Verstappen to face penalty points on his super license or even a race suspension due to the Red Bull driver's repeated criticism of the sport's new energy management regulations.

Montoya, a seven-time Grand Prix winner, made the remarks on the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast following the Miami Grand Prix last weekend. He argued that drivers must show respect for Formula 1, even when voicing dissatisfaction with rules. "You've got to respect the sport," Montoya said. "I'm okay you not liking the regulations, but the way you were speaking about what you're living off and your own sport, there should be consequences for that."

Verstappen has been outspoken about the 2026 power unit philosophy, which emphasizes a 50-50 split between electrical and thermal power. He has described the cars as "anti-racing" and likened them to Mario Kart, complaining that energy harvesting rules force drivers to lift and coast in corners to build boost for straights later. "The faster you go through corners, you go slower on the next straight. So that's not what it should be about," he said after finishing fifth in Miami.