Juan Pablo Montoya tells Max Verstappen to "Shut up" over F1 regulation complaints

Max Verstappen has been blunt in his criticism of Formula 1’s new regulations. Now, Juan Pablo Montoya has responded in equally uncompromising fashion.

But Montoya believes that if Verstappen is truly unhappy, there is only one course of action: leave.

Verstappen’s frustration with the new era

According to Verstappen, he would be prepared to accept being fourth-best if it meant he could race flat-out, without the heavy emphasis on energy management that now defines modern grands prix.

That distinction matters to him — but it does not impress Montoya.

Montoya’s blunt message

Speaking to Casinostugan, Montoya urged Verstappen to stop threatening an exit and instead either adapt or follow through.

“If you're unhappy with being in F1, you should leave,” Montoya said.

“Have the courage of your convictions. If you're unhappy with the rules, then talk to people instead of threatening that you're going to leave. That’s not going to help that much.”

Montoya went further, suggesting Verstappen’s frustration is rooted less in principle and more in performance.

“If I were him, I’d shut up, deal with it and admit that he's in a shitty car and admit he's frustrated because his car is a piece of crap that is 20 kilos overweight and it's going to be uncompetitive all year.”

It is a striking assessment — one that reframes Verstappen’s complaints as the reaction of a driver no longer in dominant machinery.

"Nobody’s bigger than the sport"

Beyond the competitive angle, Montoya made a broader point about Formula 1 itself.

“At the end of the day, nobody's bigger than the sport.”

He likened the situation to a failing relationship, arguing that if one side wants out, there is little value in prolonging the inevitable.

“It's like when you're in a marriage, and the other person doesn't want to be with you, what are you going to do?”

“The sport is bigger than one person. And it is. However big a person he is, the sport is bigger.”

Montoya also warned that using the threat of departure as leverage could backfire.

“The problem with leaving, if you really are just leaving to put pressure on to change regulations, the sport is going to move without you.”

“And when you want to come back, there might not be a place for you. You need to know that when you're leaving, it's for good. I did.”

The message is clear: dissatisfaction with the rules does not entitle any driver — even a four-time world champion — to dictate the direction of the championship. In Montoya’s view, Formula 1 will continue with or without him.