Max Verstappen: F1 legend offers hot take on champion as 'TERRIBLE PERSON' verdict delivered

Max Verstappen

F1 legend offers hot Verstappen take as 'TERRIBLE PERSON' verdict delivered

The Red Bull star was at the centre of a controversial swearing row with the FIA last season

Originally written by Kevin McKenna. This version is a translation.

Friday 31 January 2025 15:00

Formula 1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya has delivered a hot Max Verstappen take on a controversial issue.

In 2024, Verstappen celebrated a fourth consecutive world drivers' championship, cementing his place as the best driver currently in F1.

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However, it was an uncharacteristically turbulent campaign for the Red Bull star, who faced speculation over his future as well criticism over his behavior on the track, most notably from fellow drivers Lando Norris and George Russell.

Verstappen also fell foul of the sport's governing body, who hit him with a bizarre punishment - the F1 equivalent of community service - following his use of bad language in a press conference in response to the FIA's clampdown on driver swearing.

George Russell criticised Max Verstappen over his on-track behaviour in 2024

Verstappen was hit with an unusual FIA punishment back in September for swearing

Montoya: Verstappen treated like terrible person

However, former McLaren and Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes the abuse Verstappen received within certain quarters as a result of his language was unfair.

Speaking to Casino Apps, the Columbian cast doubt over whether some of his main rivals would get the same treatment for similar offenses.

“Charles Leclerc did the same thing [at the Mexican Grand Prix]," Montoya said. "I understand because of the young audience F1 has, but nowadays they all hear it and use it - in school, in kindergarten.

“There's a line you can draw for everything, but these press conferences, they're not live. If it happened live then I would understand it, as you're in front of millions of people.