Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has harshly criticized the FIA for the penalty it previously imposed on Max Verstappen. The three-time world champion received this sanction after using the word ‘fucked’ to describe the state of his car during a press conference. “It’s incredibly childish,” asserts the Colombian. “A warning would have sufficed.”
In response to the imposed penalty, Verstappen boycotted the FIA press conference in Singapore, much to the amusement of Montoya, who himself was not one to shy away from expressing his opinions during his racing career.
Montoya told Gambling Zone: “Max handled it in a classic way. I thought it was great. At some point, Formula 1 has to tell the FIA to leave Max alone. They need Max.”
‘Do you turn it into a drawn-out issue?’
Montoya: “The FIA will have to admit at some point that they messed up, but at the same time, they will feel the need to stand by their decision. So what do you do? Do you stick to your decision and turn it into a drawn-out issue? Or do you sit down with Max and say: ‘We have punished you, but we will make it easy for you. We need to set a standard, so we won’t cancel the penalty, but we will come up with a solution that is acceptable to both parties.”
Montoya sees some room for maneuver. He continues: “The FIA could, for example, bring some kids to the circuit and tell Max they need him there for twenty minutes. Then you call a truce and remind him to watch his language. The problem would be solved. But if it becomes an ego issue and escalates further, when does Formula 1 intervene? If it had been another driver, it probably wouldn’t be a problem, but the FIA wanted to make a point. Max is outspoken. They say they want drivers to be nice, but why do they broadcast it when they yell over the radio? Nobody talks about it because they know they want to build up the sport and create that atmosphere. That’s great, but you can’t have it both ways.”
Meanwhile, he has a compliment for Red Bull Racing, which has largely stayed out of the issue. “For Max, it has been incredibly good that he is with Red Bull. He is himself and Red Bull is fine with it.”
