Montoya issues strong response to Verstappen after F1 penalty row

Earlier, the former Formula 1 driver had called for sanctions against Verstappen over his criticism of the current regulations. Montoya, who had already taken a firm stance with his previous comments, doubled down by suggesting that penalty points should be added to the four-time world champion’s licence.

As reactions to the Colombian’s remarks continued to dominate discussions in the paddock, Montoya addressed the backlash when questioned by Martin Brundle during his grid walk at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, insisting he was not surprised by the response to his comments. “Anything new?” Montoya replied.

However, following the Grand Prix in Quebec, with tensions from the 4.361 km circuit now cooled, Montoya has offered further clarity on his relationship with Verstappen.

Speaking via a gambling platform, the seven-time Formula 1 race winner insisted there is no bad blood between himself and the Red Bull Racing driver. The 50-year-old added that if Verstappen had genuinely been offended by his remarks, then the Dutchman would have “bigger issues in life”, while also revealing that they still exchange greetings in the paddock alongside Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen.

“No, there’s no drama between Max and me. If he got angry about this, then he has more issues in life than he should. We’ve talked before during races, and actually, we get along quite well. We don’t chat much, but we greet each other and I also say hello to Jos,” Montoya explained.'

The former Williams Racing driver also clarified the context behind the remarks that sparked the controversy. Montoya had earlier suggested that drivers who publicly criticise Formula 1 should face sporting penalties.

“I said drivers who badmouth F1 should get penalty points or be disqualified from a race, like in any other sport. When asked if this included Max, I said ‘yes’. People asked Max what he thought of me, so naturally, he reacted.”

Earlier, Verstappen had expressed his thoughts on the comments made by Montoya. The Dutch driver, in an interview with De Telegraaf, explained that he cares little about individuals who talk too much, while also questioning why drivers like Montoya continue to be engaged by Formula 1 management.

The Red Bull driver, however, noted that he certainly would not want someone who speaks a lot of rubbish in the paddock, before adding that he would not let such comments bother him.

“Surely you don’t want someone like that in the paddock who spouts so much rubbish? I think it’s a case of: ‘I say something different from everyone else, so I’m relevant.’ It doesn’t bother me that much; it’s his problem. I live my life and won’t let it influence me,” he concluded.

At the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen claimed his maiden podium of the 2026 campaign, following a third-place finish at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after an intriguing battle with seven-time champion and Scuderia Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton. The Red Bull Racing star, however, in his post-race reaction, did not fail to express his disapproval of the current regulations. Verstappen noted how the racing spectacle fans were treated to at the Canadian Grand Prix could have been replicated even in a rental car.