'Verstappen backed over Montoya after feisty Canadian GP spat'
Photo: Race Pictures
18:01, 26 May
0 Comments
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Max Verstappen will no doubt rather focus on having secured his first podium of the season at the Canadian GP, but the Red Bull driver did get involved in something of a war of words with former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya during the weekend. GPblog readers have had their say on the spat, which kicked off after Montoya's criticism of the Dutchman's F1 2026 complaints.
It all began when Montoya appeared on the BBC's Chequered Flag Podcast with some misgivings over how Verstappen has criticised the 2026 regulations. The Dutchman has lambasted the new rules for 'Mario Kart' style "anti-racing" and has threatened to walk away from the sport entirely should the regulations not be changed.
Montoya said: "You've got to respect the sport. For me, what the drivers are doing, I'm okay with 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.
"Park him. Add seven points to the licence, eight points to the licence. Whatever you do after, you're going to be parked. I guarantee you all the messaging would be different. I'm not saying don't be outspoken, but don't come and call an F1 car a Mario Kart. When the rear wing was opening, and you were getting 30 kph or 20 miles an hour, was that not fake?"
ADVERTISEMENT
Four-time world champion Verstappen was asked on the comments made by Montoya during the Canadian GP weekend, blasting back by arguing that the Colombian should not be "spouting so much nonsense" in the F1 paddock.
Speaking to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen said: "I don’t know what his problem is. I also can’t deal much with someone who talks so much nonsense. I just don’t understand why people like that get paid by Formula 1 management, because he sometimes works for them. You wouldn’t want someone like that in the paddock, spouting so much nonsense, would you?
"I think it’s a case of: 'If I say something different from everyone else, then I’m relevant.' It doesn’t bother me that much; it’s his problem. I live my life and don’t let it affect me."
GPblog readers support Verstappen over Montoya
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
ADVERTISEMENT
So far, it's Montoya that has had the last say, however. During Martin Brundle's famous grid walk for Sky F1, Verstappen's reaction to Montoya's comments were raised with the former Williams man. Montoya responded with a brief quip: "Anything new there?"
GPblog readers were asked who they were backing in F1's latest war of words, and the poll results are pretty comprehensive. 80% of readers said they were taking Verstappen's side, with only 20% supporting Montoya.
Nonetheless, some have at least agreed with Montoya's sentiment that drivers should be more civilised in their criticism of the 2026 rules, while others believe Verstappen has every right to share his opinion.
Here are some of the comments from GPblog readers:
"'You've got to respect the sport' - Maybe people don't always agree on what that means."
ADVERTISEMENT
"I don't agree with the docking of points but I agree that drivers shouldn't be negative to the level Max had been about the regs. We have had many regulation changes and drivers have been very civilized in their critique."
"It depends... I think the man is entitled to have an opinion about the sport that he dedicated his entire life to. He has made his point by now, though... if any journalists on the grid happens to ask him about it, I don't think he shouldn't be allowed to tell them what he thinks."
"We as fans can share our opinions without restraint, with the drivers they are employees and there should some boundaries I believe."
Read also
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Monaco Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 05.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 06.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 07.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 05.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 06.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 07.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Popular on GPBlog
1
Hamilton and Verstappen on Antonelli title advice: 'I'm not going to give him any more pointers"
35354 times read
2
F1 Today: Russell makes striking Antonelli statement, McLaren explains Norris DNF
2587 times read
3
Hamilton sends heartfelt tribute to brother Nicolas after BTCC podium finish
1745 times read
4
Multiple spectators hospitalised after crash at Isle of Man TT
1192 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 131 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 88 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 75 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 72 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 58 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 48 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 43 | |
8 | AlpineALP | 20 | |
9 | HaasHAA | 18 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 16 |
Loading
