Max Verstappen, F1 champion “too young” to rent and drive a sports car on vacation
Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was unable to test-drive the sports car he wanted in Portugal. The rental agency deemed him “too inexperienced” to drive a high-powered car.
Max Verstappen, currently on a trip to Portugal with his family, wanted to rent a sports car – a Mercedes AMG GT to be precise – in order to do a few laps around the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve racetrack, which he had booked in advance.
Lack of experience
But against all odds, the rental agency wouldn’t rent him the vehicle. Why not? Because the driver, who won 19 of the 22 races in Formula 1 last season and is a three-time world champion, “lacks experience”, according to the rental agency. Indeed, to drive this vehicle, which can reach speeds of 315 km/h, you need to be at least 30 years old. This is not the case for Max Verstappen, who is only 26.
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“The staff at our branch in Portugal followed the rules associated with insurance. They listened to customers, because Mr. Verstappen was offered another premium model. But in reality, this was a special circumstance and an exception to the rule. There’s no doubt about his driving skills and his experience of fast cars. Hence our apologies. From now on, he can rent the car he wants from us at any time”, explained the rental agency, contacted by The Sun.
The Red Bull driver has therefore settled for a BMW 5 Series. Not bad either.