FORMULA 1 F1 CALENDAR 2026 LEWIS HAMILTON MOTOGP RUMOURS

Max Verstappen told to quit F1 over 2026 'Mario Kart' criticism: 'There's the door'

Photo: Race Pictures

17:30, 17 Mar

byHenry Eccles

Juan Pablo Montoya has called on F1 to 'show the door' to drivers, including Max Verstappen, who have 'disrespected' the sport with jibes comparing 2026's racing with 'Mario Kart.'

Following a torrid weekend in Shanghai, where he failed to score a point and retired from the Grand Prix due to an ERS failure, Verstappen's disdain for the 2026 regulations has only grown stronger, saying: "It's playing Mario Kart. This is not racing."

For former Williams man Montoya, such remarks "shouldn't be accepted" as the Colombian called for F1 to either show disgruntled drivers the door, or issue heavy fines, in order to teach them a lesson.

'There's the door,' Montoya says to disgruntled drivers

Photo: RacePìctures.

Speaking to AS Colombia, Montoya said he would seek to emulate American sports, and issue punishments to drivers who 'disrespect' F1.

Montoya said: "At some point, Formula 1 has to do what sports in the United States do and for people who disrespect the sport, there’s the door.

"They can leave or be fined so they really learn to respect what they’re doing. I would do that."

"It’s fine for people to have an opinion. I’m not saying they have to like it, but mocking Formula 1 and comparing it to Mario Kart, that shouldn’t be accepted by Formula 1."

The 50-year-old then honed in on Williams' Carlos Sainz' concerns with safety and the 2026 regulations, arguing most of the drivers' complaints are "political" and that Sainz can instead "stay home and relax."

“If he’s afraid, he can stay home and relax. I like Carlos a lot, but it’s like they’re trying to get attention for everything.

“80% of the comments they make are political. Why are the drivers complaining that recharging is bad? Because Mercedes can do it better than everyone else.

“If they take advantage away from Mercedes, everyone else will be closer. Carlos is complaining because the Williams isn’t getting good starts. Why aren’t Mercedes complaining?”

Alonso 'began to lose all feeling' in limbs due to AMR26's vibrations

Another driver who ought to be concerned with safety under the 2026 regulations is Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.

Alonso was forced to retire from the Chinese GP after experiencing extreme vibrations in the AMR26. The Spaniard could even be seen taking his hands off the wheel at times, and later revealed he "began to lose all feeling" in his limbs.

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