In a fiery new take that's stirring up the paddock, former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has suggested that Max Verstappen should face race bans for his ongoing criticism of the sport's latest regulations. The Colombian, who won seven Grands Prix during his time with Williams and McLaren, didn't hold back during a recent appearance on the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast.
Montoya argued that drivers who publicly badmouth F1's new rules should be penalized through their super license points, with the ultimate punishment being a race suspension. "You've got to respect the sport," Montoya told co-hosts Harry Benjamin and 1996 world champion Damon Hill. "I'm OK 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."
The debate comes as the 2026 regulations continue to divide opinion among the current grid. While several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes camp, have toned down their public comments under pressure from teams and commercial rights holders, Verstappen has remained outspoken. The four-time world champion has been one of the most vocal critics, describing the new cars in less-than-flattering terms.
When Hill asked if Montoya was suggesting fining Verstappen for negative remarks, the conversation took a sharp turn. "What, ban him from a race?" Benjamin interjected. Montoya didn't hesitate: "Yeah, add seven points to the licence, eight points to the licence… Whatever you do after, you're gonna be parked. And I guarantee you, all the message would be different. I'm not saying 'don't be outspoken,' but don't come and call an F1 car a Mario Kart."
It's worth noting that Montoya himself was no stranger to controversy during his own racing career. A protégé of Helmut Marko at RSM Marko before joining Williams, the Colombian was known for his aggressive driving style and unfiltered opinions. Now, as a pundit, he's calling for the very kind of discipline that might have tested his own fiery temperament back in the day.
Whether the FIA takes Montoya's advice remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the war of words over F1's direction is only heating up, and Verstappen shows no signs of backing down.