F1 legend slams Max Verstappen has ‘extra points in life than he ought to’ in ‘speaking s***’ feud
A Formula 1 legend has hit back at Max Verstappen as their public spat threatens to boil over after the Dutchman was slammed for his controversial behaviour
Max Verstappen’s feud with Juan Pablo Montoya has developed(Image: Getty Images)
Formula 1 Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya has fired back at Max Verstappen as the two have become embroiled in a public spat.
Montoya accused Verstappen of failing to “respect the sport” and called for the Red Bull star to be punished for his constant criticism of the 2026 F1 regulations. But the Dutchman didn’t let the comments lie as he called out Montoya for talking “so much rubbish.”
The seven-time Grand Prix winner also slammed Verstappen for racing a Mercedes GT3 car at the Nürburgring while still contracted to Red Bull and Ford. The spat threatened to turn ugly again when Montoya was caught and questioned by Martin Brundle on his grid walk before the Canadian Grand Prix, but the Colombian managed to navigate the situation calmly.
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Speaking to sports betting site, talkSPORT BET, Montoya quashed any gossip that he and Verstappen have fallen out despite their public spat and standing firm on his criticism of the Dutchman’s Nürburgring decision and F1 regulation complaints.
He said: “No. No, there’s no drama. And if there is, honestly, if you’re angry about that, then you have more issues in your life than you should.
“I’ve talked to [Max Verstappen] in the past and at races, and actually, we get on really well. We don’t spend time talking to each other, but we say ‘Hi,’ and I say hello to Jos [Verstappen]. We’ve never had any issues, and I don’t think we do now.
“I do think, though, it was wrong for him to drive that Mercedes at the Nürburgring. When Ford is putting so much money into the sport at Red Bull, to drive a Mercedes was just wrong.”
He added: “The interview with the BBC was taken completely out of context. I had said that all the drivers who were talking s*** about F1 should get penalty points or a ban for a race, as they do in every other sport.
“If I work for you and talk s*** about your company, you are going to fire me. It’s the nature of the beast. And they asked me if that included Max, I said, ‘Yeah.’ Because it was Max who became the story.
“People asked Max what he felt about me, so of course, he reacted. If it had been the other way around, I would have done the same thing as Max said. It’s normal. I don’t think he gives two f****, to be honest. I certainly don’t!
“Martin Brundle, who has never liked me, and the feeling is mutual, got me in the grid. He said,’ I see you have p***** off Max.’
“I replied: ‘Nothing new there.’”
Montoya insisted that despite the backlash about his comments, he will remain unequivocally honest. “If I am going to be true to myself and tell people what’s happening honestly, that’s what I try to do; if you have done a poor job, I’m going to say you’ve done a poor job. I’m not going to say, ’My God, that was amazing.’
“In Miami, Max spun at the start, and they went, ‘What a recovery.’ I said, ‘Yeah, but he spun. He went from being first to being fifth or sixth.’ And they go, ‘You’re a hater.’ I’m not a hater. It’s the truth.
“I’ve driven not only in Formula 1, but also in NASCAR, in IndyCar, and in sports car racing. I’ve done everything. And lucky enough, I’ve won races, and I’ve been good at everything.”
