Former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya has called for Max Verstappen to be “parked” for his continued criticism of the 2026 regulations.
The four-time world champion has been the most vocal critic of the new rules, and has even threatened to quit the sport if the “anti-racing” and “Mario Kart” rules aren’t changed.
But Montoya, who won seven grands prix and finished third in the championship in both 2002 and 2003, has urged the FIA to sanction the Dutchman for bringing the sport into disrepute.
READ MORE: Coach Whisperer claims he knew Haas blow was coming
READ MORE: ‘Where the money is’: Giants considering official name change
READ MORE: Who is choking now? Arsenal storm into Champions League final
Max Verstappen finished fifth at the Miami Grand Prix. Getty
“You’ve got to respect the sport,” the Columbian told the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast.
“I’m OK (with) 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.
“Park him. Add seven points to the licence, eight points to the licence, (so) that whatever you do after, you’re going to be parked. I guarantee you all the messaging would be different.”
F1 drivers accrue demerit points for various on-track incidents. Accruing 12 in a 12-month period earns the driver a race-ban. Verstappen currently has three points, which will expire on June 1.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has called for Max Verstappen to be ‘parked’. LightRocket via Getty Images
Montoya said drivers should be free to voice their opinions, but they should be kept constructive.
“I’m not saying ‘don’t say that you don’t like the regulations’, because if you don’t like them, you have the complete right to an opinion. It’s OK to be outspoken. I’m not saying don’t be outspoken.
“But don’t come and call an F1 car a Mario Kart.”
Montoya went on to say Verstappen’s motivation to speak out against the regulations were likely political, after his Red Bull squad endured a tough start to the season.
The team entered into a technical partnership with Ford to produce engines for the main and junior Racing Bulls team for the 2026 season.
Coming into the Miami weekend, Verstappen had a best result of sixth from the first three grands prix, and he retired from the race in China. In Japan, he missed the top-10 in qualifying and spent the race stuck behind the Alpine of Pierre Gasly.
Red Bull seemed to take a step forward in Miami – the Dutchman qualified on the front row for the grand prix, and stormed back through the field to finish fifth after a lap one spin and an early pitstop dropped him down the order.
“The politics of the sport are really important, and the message the drivers come across and ask for, a lot of them are guided,” Montoya said.
“They tell you we really need to push for this because this is going to really help us.”
The F1 season will continue with the Canadian Grand Prix – another sprint weekend – on May 23-25 (AEST).