In Formula 1, tensions are rising, but not due to anything that happened on the racetrack.
Juan Pablo Montoya took issue with reigning world champion Max Verstappen after Verstappen made a critical remark about the future of Formula 1 regarding the proposed style of car in comparison to Mario Kart.
This all came when Formula 1 is preparing for a massive change in terms of performance through technical regulation changes beginning in 2026.
What Max Verstappen Said
After a frustrating outing at the Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen didn’t hold back. He criticised the new 2026 F1 regulations, claiming they take away from what he considers “real racing.”
His “Mario Kart” comparison quickly grabbed viewers’ attention, where some fans backed him, saying modern F1 is becoming overly complex, while others felt the remark crossed a line.
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The criticism also followed a rough race weekend. Max Verstappen had a poor start, dropped to the back of the grid, and eventually retired on lap 45 due to an ERS issue.
Juan Pablo Montoya Reacts To Max Verstappen’s Comment
Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya took a sharp dig at Max Verstappen’s comment and made his stance crystal clear while speaking to AS Colombia: “Formula 1 should do what the sporting world in the United States does: for people who don’t respect the sport, the door is open.”
He also added, “They can leave or be fined, so that they really learn to respect what they are doing. I would do that.”
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Juan Pablo Montoya also said that while drivers are allowed to put out their opinions, there is still a line between criticism and disrespect.
He said, “It’s fine for people to have an opinion. I’m not saying they have to like it, but for them to mock Formula 1 and compare it to Mario Kart…That shouldn’t be accepted by Formula 1.”
These 2026 F1 regulations are not a minor change; they are a full reset. Changes to aerodynamics, power units, and energy recovery systems are designed to make the sport more sustainable and competitive.
Also Read: Fernando Alonso On F1 Car Scare, Says ‘It was Not a Nice Feeling’
