‘SO MUCH RUBBISH’: VERSTAPPEN DISMISSED F1 ICON’S ‘PARK HIM’ CALL

Max Verstappen has hit back at Juan Pablo Montoya after the seven-time grand prix winner called for the Dutchman to face suspension for publicly criticising the sport.

Montoya took exception to Verstappen’s description of the 2026 F1 regulations being “anti-racing” and similar to video game Mario Kart in the opening months of the season as driver handed down their verdict on the 50-50 combustion-electric hybrid engines.

The Colombian, a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, told the BBC last month that “there should be consequences” for drivers who bring the sport into disrepute, including the risk of suspension.

“Park him,” Montoya said. “You’ve got to respect the sport.”

But in an interview with Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen called for F1 to reconsider employing Montoya if he was going to talk “so much rubbish”.

“I don’t know what his problem is,” he said. “I also have very little patience with someone like that who talks so much nonsense.

“I just don’t understand why types like that get paid by Formula 1 management, simply because he sometimes works for them. 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.”

Asked about the spat by Martin Brundle in the build-up to last month’s Canadian Grand Prix, Montoya quipped: “Anything new there?”

He doubled down on his commentary speaking to a sports gambling site last week.

“There’s no drama,” he said, but then added: “And if there is, honestly, if you’re angry about that, then you have more issues in your life than you should.

“The interview with the BBC was taken completely out of context. I had said that all the drivers who were talking shit about F1 should get penalty points or a ban for a race, as they do in every other sport.

“If I work for you and talk shit about your company, you are going to fire me. It’s the nature of the beast.”