Max Verstappen has been told to “shut up” in his criticism of F1’s new regulations and that he is “not bigger” than the championship if he quits. 

The Dutchman has grown increasingly vocal in his dislike of the new regulations, and has hinted that he could be prepared to walk away, such is his displeasure in the new style of energy management required in grands prix.  

Verstappen has also flatly denied the idea that he is only being so strong in his criticism because his Red Bull team is struggling as the fourth-best outfit and that he is not winning, saying he would be prepared to accept being fourth-best if it meant he was racing flat-out.

However, Juan Pablo Montoya has told the four-time world champion to “shut up” and have the courage of his convictions to leave if he so dislikes the new rules.

“If you’re unhappy with being an F1, you should leave,” Montoya told Casinostugan.

“Have the courage of your convictions. If you’re unhappy with the rules, then talk to people instead of threatening that you’re going to leave. That’s not going to help that much.

“If I were him, I’d shut up, deal with it and admit that he’s in a shitty car and admit he’s frustrated because his car is a piece of crap that is 20 kilos overweight and it’s going to be uncompetitive all year.

“At the end of the day, nobody’s bigger than the sport.

“It’s like when you’re in a marriage, and the other person doesn’t want to be with you, what are you going to do?

“If the other person decides you’re not the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, whether you want to try to keep them or not, they’re going to be unhappy. 

“And they’re going to grab you by the balls and use you, and then still leave.

“The sport is bigger than one person. And it is. However big a person he is, the sport is bigger. 

“The problem with leaving, if you really are just leaving to put pressure on to change regulations, the sport is going to move without you.

“And when you want to come back, there might not be a place for you. You need to know that when you’re leaving, it’s for good. I did.”