“I’m not sure what his problem is,” Max Verstappen says about the calls for his suspension after his retirement comments.
Max Verstappen has responded to Juan Pablo Montoya’s calls for him to be suspended because of his outspoken criticism.
The 2026 Formula One season is now in Montreal, Canada, for the fifth race at the famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Before Sunday’s Grand Prix, the drivers took part in a sprint race on Saturday afternoon. Mercedes star George Russell won the sprint and secured pole position for the main race.
Unfortunately for Verstappen, the sprint didn’t go well. He finished seventh and then qualified sixth for the Grand Prix. It’s been a tough start to the season for the Dutch driver, who has been openly critical of the new rules introduced for 2026. In fact, he even hinted that these changes might make him consider retiring.
Verstappen’s comments about the new regulations upset former driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya said on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast that the FIA, the sport’s governing body, should punish Verstappen. Montoya said, “You’ve got to respect the sport. It’s okay not to like the rules, but the way you talk about the sport you earn your living from should have consequences. Park him or add penalty points to his license — that would change his attitude.”
Verstappen wasn’t happy with Montoya’s remarks and fired back, saying Montoya was just trying to get attention. “I don’t know what his problem is,” Verstappen told Dutch paper De Telegraaf in Montreal. “I can’t be bothered with someone who talks so much nonsense. I don’t understand why Formula 1 management pays someone like that, especially when he sometimes works for them. People like that should not be in the paddock spreading rubbish. I think he just wants to say something different to stay relevant. I don’t care. It’s his problem. I live my life and don’t let it affect me.”
Right now, discussions about the 2027 engine rules are still going on. There’s an agreement to reduce electric power and increase combustion power to a 60/40 split. But some teams want to delay these changes until 2028. Verstappen said that if the rules don’t change, next year could be very tough for him. “If it stays like this, next year will be long and I don’t want that. It’s mentally really hard for me to keep going like this,” he said, even though his contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028.
However, he still hopes the new rules will be enforced. “Let’s stay positive. I think we’re moving towards making those changes. Some teams with an advantage now might fight it, but if the FIA and FOM are strong, they just have to do it.”
When asked if he would take a break from F1 in 2027 if the changes get delayed, Verstappen was clear. “No,” he said, making it clear that if he leaves F1, it will be for good. “There are lots of other fun things to do out there.”