'Park him' - FIA urged to change rules to suspend Max Verstappen over comments

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes the FIA should punish Max Verstappen for his views on the 2026 regulations.

We're now four races into the 2026 Formula One season as Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli has established himself as the favourite to win the title having won three back to back in China, Japan and Miami.

Although there has been plenty of action on the track, the real drama hasn't been the racing itself as most of the grid have been outspoken against the brand new regulations introduced ahead of the season.

Chief among the critics on the grid is four-time world champion and Red Bull driver Verstappen, who has compared the sport in its current format to Formula E “on steroids” and has even hinted it could lead to his retirement.

Criticism of F1's regulations is not something that is new within the sport, but former driver Montoya believes Verstappen has now taken things too far and should receive a harsh punishment that would push him towards a race ban.

The former Williams and McLaren driver believes Verstappen should be given penalty points on his FIA super licence to bring him close to the 12-point threshold that leads to an automatic one-race suspension.

"You've got to respect the sport," Montoya told the BBC's Chequered Flag podcast.

"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."

Verstappen penalty points

As it stands, Verstappen currently has three penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, due to his controversial incident with rival George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix last year.

Therefore, seven or eight points wouldn't quite be enough to suspend Verstappen, but Montoya's feelings towards the comments are clear regardless.

"I'm not saying, 'Don't say that you don't like the regulations', because if you don't like it, you have the complete right to an opinion," he added.

"It's okay to be outspoken. I'm not saying don't be outspoken, but don't come and call an F1 car a Mario Kart."

Verstappen, who is currently seventh in the drivers' championship, has reiterated on several occasions that his criticism of the regulations has nothing to do with Red Bull's performances this season.