The 2026 Formula 1 season has not only reshaped the balance on track but also sparked debates off it. From the struggles of top drivers to the outspoken words of Juan Pablo Montoya, a central theme emerges: the relationship between F1 and its drivers.
This season has introduced new protagonists. No longer are Red Bull and McLaren dominating; Mercedes and Ferrari have stepped to the forefront. Both teams have earned credit for significant upgrades and a masterful interpretation of the new regulations, particularly Mercedes.
Drivers who last year were at the top, like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, are experiencing a completely different season. At the end of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, the new #1 led the standings with 44 points, followed by the four-time world champion with 36. After the first two race weekends of 2026, Norris sits sixth with 15 points behind Oliver Bearman, while Max is eighth with 8 points, trailing Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Just this data alone highlights their current downturn.
It feels unusual to see them battling in the midfield, and even stranger to see them missing a Grand Prix. The situation they face is well known, as are their statements after each weekend. While Norris remains relatively composed, Verstappen does not hold back, criticizing the entire system openly.
Montoya vs. the drivers: controversial words
It’s no longer news that many drivers are not fond of the new F1 format. Charles Leclerc, for example, has admitted that he has lost his edge in qualifying, particularly in Q3. Even the reigning champion has had to reassess his position. While he playfully suggested Verstappen “look elsewhere” during testing, one race was enough to change his mind.
Juan Pablo Montoya has entered this debate with blunt comments about drivers who criticize the new racing style. “At some point,” he said in an interview with AS Colombia, “Formula 1 has to do what sports in the United States do: for those who do not respect the sport, there’s the door.”
The former Williams driver believes it is a matter of respect, suggesting that the solution may involve either leaving the paddock or receiving a fine. “They can leave,” he added, “or be fined, so they truly learn to respect what they do. That’s what I would do.” Such remarks risk sounding like an attempt to limit free thought, which, in the current context, feels jarring.
F1 itself seems to forget this context at times, censoring fan comments on social media, driver statements at press conferences, and telemetry data. “It’s fine to have an opinion,” Montoya continues. “I’m not saying they have to like everything, but mocking Formula 1 and comparing it to Mario Kart shouldn’t be acceptable.”
Freedom of thought and sanctions: why Montoya’s remarks are problematic
Montoya’s stance is not universally convincing. Forcing drivers out merely for having a different opinion is not the wisest approach. Yes, the risk of losing stars like Verstappen and Norris is high—perhaps more so with Max. Not only does he have other motorsport interests—he plans to race the Nürburgring 24 Hours—but he has also repeatedly said he does not see himself in F1 until his forties.
Moreover, Max Verstappen has always conveyed a sense that everything he does has purpose. Racing is not just about being in the right condition; it’s about determination, motivation, and having clear objectives. For Norris, the context is different. It is hard to imagine him leaving the sport, as his private interests, like golf, can easily be pursued post-F1.
Returning to Montoya’s remarks, this debate goes beyond simple comments. It touches on the broader system F1 has built over decades. If a driver dislikes this style of racing, now or in the future, they are free to leave—but pressuring them to depart becomes counterproductive for the sport as a whole.
Losing a champion like Max Verstappen would open numerous questions for F1. Should drivers’ opinions be dismissed? The perception is that the new regulations were implemented without considering the drivers’ input. While technically, all teams signed off on the rules, warnings were not always heeded. Fred Vasseur, for instance, warned that starts could be problematic, and indeed, incidents in Australia with Kimi Antonelli and in China with Verstappen confirmed this.
The F1-driver relationship: the real challenge
This is a legitimate question. F1 must evolve as audiences grow and change, shaping the sport’s future. But the category and the drivers cannot remain parallel lines; they must intersect to create a cohesive environment. Drivers have powered the recent seasons and inspired the next generation of fans.
F1 has always relied on its drivers. Stefano Domenicali has stated that drivers must be personalities, engaging both in and out of the car through media and entertainment platforms. Can the sport use its stars and then disregard them when they resist new rules?
The discussion is broader and more complex than Montoya suggests. Agreeing with his viewpoint would normalize a sport where dissent is unwelcome. While F1 continues to Americanize, it is crucial to listen to its twenty-two drivers to ensure growth, new circuits, new audiences, and investment. Ignoring their perspectives risks losing key figures—and everything they contribute to the sport’s success.
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