'I don’t know what his problem is' - Max Verstappen responds to calls for suspension over retirement comments

Max Verstappen has hit back at Juan Pablo Montoya's calls for the Red Bull driver to be hit with suspension due to his outspoken criticism.

The 2026 Formula One season has arrived in Montreal, Canada for the fifth race of the season at the popular Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Ahead of the Grand Prix race on Sunday, the grid took part in a sprint race on Saturday afternoon, with Mercedes star driver George Russell picking up the victory before securing P1 for the main race.

Once again, the sprint was highly disappointing for four-time World Champion Verstappen as he crossed the finish line in seventh before qualifying in sixth for the Grand Prix.

The results are just the latest in what has been a difficult season for the Dutchman continues to be highly critical of the new regulations introduced ahead of the 2026 season, even suggesting they could lead to his retirement.

Verstappen's comments about Formula One's new regulations drew criticism from former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who argued that the FIA, the sport's governing body, need to hand the Red Bull star a harsh punishment.

"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."

And now, Verstappen has lashed out at Montoya, hitting back at his comments and claiming that Montoya was simply looking for attention.

“I don’t know what his problem is,” Verstappen told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf in Montreal.

“I can’t really be bothered with someone who talks so much rubbish.

“I just don’t understand why people like that are paid by Formula 1 management, because he sometimes works for them. Surely you don’t want someone like that in the paddock, spouting so much nonsense?

“I think it’s a case of: ‘I’ll say something different from everyone else, then I’ll be relevant’. I don’t really care; it’s his problem. I live my life and don’t let it affect me.”

Verstappen issues fresh retirement threat amid regulation debate

As it stands, debates are ongoing about the sport's engine regulations for 2027, with a recent agreement set to reduce electric power and increase combustion power for 2027 with a 60/40 split.

But, with some teams demanding the changes be delated by a year to instead be introduced in 2028, Verstappen has admitted he may not be able to continue driving.

"If it stays like this, it's going to be a long year next year that I don't want," said Verstappen, who has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028.

"It's just mentally not doable for me to stay like this. It's really not."

READ MORE: Max Verstappen reports F1 rival over 'massively illegal' action during Canada GP qualifying

But the four-time champion assured that he believes that the changes will be enforced and, if so, he will continue to drive in F1 next year.

"Let's stay on the positive side," he added. "We are still, I think, looking towards making those changes.

"Of course, some people that maybe have a bit of advantage at the moment will try to be difficult about it, but if the FIA is strong, and also from the FOM side, they just need do it."

However, perhaps the most concerning comment came when Verstappen was asked if he would consider a sabbatical in 2027 if the changes were delayed.

"No," he replied, making it clear that any F1 exit would be final.

"There's a lot of other fun things out there."