F1 Champion Max Verstappen Denied Mercedes Rental in Portugal Despite Racing Prowess

In a surprising turn of events, Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was unable to rent a Mercedes AMG GT in Portugal due to age restrictions. Despite his expertise on the racetrack, the rental company’s policy proved an unexpected obstacle for the young driver.

Key Takeaways:

• Max Verstappen, the 26-year-old Formula 1 champion, faced an unexpected refusal at Faro airport in the Algarve when he attempted to rent a Mercedes AMG GT from Sixt, a car rental company.
• The rental company’s policy requires a minimum age of 30 to hire the specific car, leading to Verstappen being unable to rent it, despite his status as a seasoned F1 driver.
• Sixt acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation and offered an apology to Verstappen, stating that he could rent the desired car from them at any time, and provided him with another premium vehicle.

The world of Formula 1 is full of unexpected twists and turns, but even off the track, champions like Max Verstappen can face unforeseen hurdles. As reported by The Sun, during his holiday in the picturesque Algarve region of Portugal, Verstappen experienced a rare moment of being unable to control a powerful vehicle, not due to lack of skill, but because of a rental company’s age policy.

The three-time F1 world champion, known for his exceptional talent in handling some of the fastest cars in the world, was taken aback when he was told he couldn’t rent a Mercedes AMG GT at Faro airport. The Sun’s report highlighted the irony of the situation:

“When they got to the airport, Max was shocked when he was told he wasn’t allowed to drive the Mercedes he wanted. He’s a seasoned F1 driver who’s used to handling powerful cars, so it’s quite astonishing to think he wasn’t allowed to get behind the wheel of this one — but those are the rules, so he abided by them.”

Responding to the situation, Sixt, the rental company, clarified the reasoning behind their policy, emphasizing it was strictly for insurance purposes. They said:

“The employees of our franchise partner in Portugal have only followed the rules that arise for insurance reasons. In order to find a customer-friendly solution on site, Mr. Verstappen was provided with another premium vehicle. However, there can be special circumstances that justify a deviation from rules. This is such a case. We apologise to Mr. Verstappen. He can rent the car he wants from us at any time. There is of course no doubt at all about his driving skills and his experience with powerful cars.”

Despite this minor hiccup, Verstappen’s visit to Portugal was not solely for leisure. He was scheduled to participate in a test session at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA), starting December 19th, driving a Verstappen.com Racing Ferrari 296 GT3. This incident, while amusing, underscores the unique challenges even world-renowned athletes can face in everyday situations. It also highlights the stringent policies companies maintain, regardless of an individual’s fame or expertise.

In the end, this story adds another interesting chapter to the life of a celebrated F1 driver, one where even a world champion has to sometimes abide by the same rules as everyone else.