Ferrari Eyes Secret Monza Test, Montoya Slams Verstappen's 2026 Criticism

Ferrari is reportedly exploring a secret filming day test at Monza to gain a development edge over Mercedes, while former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has launched a fiery rebuke of Max Verstappen's continued criticism of the sport's 2026 regulations.

Why it matters:

These stories highlight two critical fronts in modern F1: the relentless technical arms race and the simmering tension over the sport's future direction. Ferrari's potential test underscores the lengths teams will go to find performance, especially on power-sensitive circuits. Meanwhile, the public clash between a current superstar and a respected veteran over the 2026 rules reveals deep concerns within the paddock about the upcoming regulatory shift and what constitutes acceptable discourse.

The details:

• Ferrari's Monza Plan: Sources indicate Ferrari is looking to schedule a 200km filming day at the high-speed Monza circuit in April. The team is believed to want to test a different power unit configuration than those used in recent races, specifically to tackle the unique energy recovery challenges posed by the Italian track's long straights.
• The Technical Battle: This move is seen as a direct response to Ferrari's acknowledgment that they still trail Mercedes in the ongoing development war, despite their competitive race pace. A successful test could provide crucial data to close that gap ahead of the actual Italian Grand Prix.
• Montoya's Verdict: Juan Pablo Montoya has strongly criticized Max Verstappen for his repeated disparaging comments about the 2026 regulations, which Verstappen recently likened to "playing Mario Kart." Montoya labeled such remarks as disrespectful to the sport.
• A Call for Discipline: The former Williams driver suggested F1 should adopt a stricter stance, similar to American sports leagues, by fining or even showing "the door" to drivers who publicly disrespect the championship. He argued this would force drivers to "really learn to respect what they’re doing."

What's next:

The focus now shifts to whether Ferrari can formalize and execute its Monza test, and what tangible gains it might yield for their 2026 car development. The war of words over the future regulations is unlikely to subside, especially as more concrete details of the 2026 cars emerge. Verstappen's stance places significant pressure on the FIA and F1 to ensure the new rules deliver genuine racing, while Montoya's comments reflect a broader debate about driver conduct and the balance between critique and promotion of the sport.