Juan Pablo Montoya has downplayed recommendations of a rising rift with Max Verstappen following his controversial remarks concerning the Dutchman through the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Earlier, the previous System 1 driver had referred to as for sanctions towards Verstappen over his criticism of the present rules. Montoya, who had already taken a agency stance together with his earlier feedback, doubled down by suggesting that penalty factors must be added to the four-time world champion’s licence.
As reactions to the Colombian’s remarks continued to dominate discussions within the paddock,Montoya addressed the backlash when questioned by Martin Brundle throughout his grid stroll on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, insisting he was not stunned by the response to his feedback. “Something new?” Montoya replied.
Nevertheless, following the Grand Prix in Quebec, with tensions from the 4.361 km circuit now cooled, Montoya has provided additional readability on his relationship with Verstappen.
Montoya reacts to scenario with Verstappen
Talking through a playing platform, the seven-time System 1 race winner insisted there isn’t any unhealthy blood between himself and the Crimson Bull Racing driver. The 50-year-old added that if Verstappen had genuinely been offended by his remarks, then the Dutchman would have “larger points in life”, whereas additionally revealing that they nonetheless trade greetings within the paddock alongside Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen.
“No, there’s no drama between Max and me. If he received indignant about this, then he has extra points in life than he ought to. We’ve talked earlier than throughout races, and really, we get alongside fairly effectively. We don’t chat a lot, however we greet one another and I additionally say whats up to Jos,” Montoya defined.’
Juan Pablo Montoya on the F1 grid – Picture: Race Photos
Juan Pablo Montoya on the F1 grid – Picture: Race Photos
The previous Williams Racing driver additionally clarified the context behind the remarks that sparked the controversy. Montoya had earlier prompt that drivers who publicly criticise System 1 ought to face sporting penalties.
“I stated drivers who badmouth F1 ought to get penalty factors or be disqualified from a race, like in every other sport. When requested if this included Max, I stated ‘sure’. Folks requested Max what he considered me, so naturally, he reacted.”
Verstappen hits again at Montoya
Earlier, Verstappen had expressed his ideas on the feedback made by Montoya. The Dutch driver, in an interview with De Telegraaf, defined that he cares little about people who speak an excessive amount of, whereas additionally questioning why drivers like Montoya proceed to be engaged by System 1 administration.
“I don’t know what his drawback is. I additionally do not care a lot for somebody who talks a lot nonsense. I simply don’t perceive why sorts like that receives a commission by the administration of System 1, as he generally works for them.”
The Crimson Bull driver, nevertheless, famous that he definitely wouldn’t need somebody who speaks a number of garbage within the paddock, earlier than including that he wouldn’t let such feedback hassle him.
“Certainly you don’t need somebody like that within the paddock who spouts a lot garbage? I feel it’s a case of: ‘I say one thing completely different from everybody else, so I’m related.’ It doesn’t hassle me that a lot; it’s his drawback. I dwell my life and received’t let it affect me,” he concluded.
On the Canadian Grand Prix, Verstappen claimed his maiden podium of the 2026 marketing campaign, following a third-place end on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after an intriguing battle with seven-time champion and Scuderia Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton. The Crimson Bull Racing star, nevertheless, in his post-race response, didn’t fail to precise hisdisapproval of the present rules. Verstappen famous how the racing spectacle followers have been handled to on the Canadian Grand Prix may have been replicated even in a rental automobile.
