Max Verstappen told to 'shut up' and that he is 'not bigger than F1'

Max Verstappen has been bluntly told to "shut up" about his criticism of Formula 1's new regulations by former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who argues the sport will move on without him if he follows through on hints he could quit. The four-time champion has been vocal in his dislike of the 2026 rules, particularly the energy management demands, but Montoya suggests the criticism stems from Red Bull's current competitive struggles rather than the regulations themselves.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's sustained public criticism of F1's future direction represents a significant internal challenge for the sport's leadership. As its reigning dominant force and biggest star, his potential departure would be a massive blow, but it also tests the principle that no single competitor is larger than the championship itself. This public clash highlights the tension between evolving the sport for sustainability and competition, and retaining its top drivers who are accustomed to a specific style of racing.

The details:

• Montoya's blunt assessment: The former F1 driver and Indy 500 winner advised Verstappen to "shut up, deal with it and admit that he's in a shitty car." He attributed Verstappen's frustration primarily to the Red Bull RB20 being "a piece of crap that is 20 kilos overweight and it's going to be uncompetitive all year."
• A call for conviction: Montoya challenged Verstappen to have the "courage of his convictions," suggesting that if he is truly unhappy with the rules, he should talk to the FIA and F1 leadership directly rather than making public threats about leaving.
• The sport's permanence: Central to Montoya's argument is that "nobody's bigger than the sport." He warned that if Verstappen leaves purely as a pressure tactic to force regulatory change, "the sport is going to move without you. And when you want to come back, there might not be a place for you."
• Verstappen's consistent stance: The Red Bull driver has denied that his criticism is linked to his team's current performance dip, stating he would accept being the fourth-best team if it meant he could race "flat-out." His issue is fundamentally with the predicted driving style and energy management challenges of the 2026 rules.

What's next:

The ball is in Verstappen's court. His contract with Red Bull runs through 2028, but his comments have ignited speculation about an early exit, with Mercedes a potential destination if he stays in F1. The ongoing debate will put pressure on the FIA and F1 to ensure the 2026 regulations deliver exciting racing, potentially needing to balance technical innovation with driver appeal to keep its biggest star engaged. Montoya's comments underscore a finality to such decisions; if Verstappen walks away, the sport will continue, but his legacy and future within it would be permanently altered.