As the 2023 F1 season came to a close, drivers explored various ways to enjoy their holiday season. Some chose to spend quality time with their loved ones, while others sought solitude in different locations for a peaceful atmosphere.
Max Verstappen, following an intense session,had decided to attend his brother-in-law’s wedding in Portugal. However, even amidst this celebratory occasion, he encountered a rather unexpected situation.
Max Verstappen faces snub to drive Mercedes car
Max Verstappen and his friends and family had decided to pay a visit to Portugal for a thrilling racing trip with the entire group. Before arriving at the airport, they had booked the cars they wanted to drive in. Last Monday, Verstappen and the group went on three private jets to Algarvae, Portugal.
Upon arriving at the destined location, it turned out that the Dutch sensation was not allowed to drive the Mercedes AMG GT he wanted. Verstappen has driven in various cars at incredible speeds and is well adapted to driving at over 200mph; however, the AMG GT Motor he was refused to drive in had a maximum speed of 195mph. The news has shocked the spectators since everyone is well aware of Verstappen’s capability to handle a high-speed car.
While on holiday in Portugal, Max Verstappen was denied by the staff of the car rental firm, Sixt, for being "too young" to drive a car that can do 195 mph.
— Vincenzo Landino (@vincenzolandino) December 27, 2023
The car? A Mercedes-AMG GT. pic.twitter.com/fGXYHWAAEO
The staff at rental firm SixT claimed that the company would be breaking their policy if they allowed the Red Bull driver to drive the Mercedes, as it was strictly written in the policy that anyone under the age of 30 is not allowed to drive the AMG GT vehicle.
A source acknowledging the dramatic situation stated, “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.”
Verstappen’s previous trouble with the Super Car
Max Verstappen was seen driving his Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar through a tunnel during the summer break of Formula 1. The video went quickly viral as the Red Bull driver changed the setting of the car and broke the speed limit by 18mph.
The A8 motorway, which links Menton to Provence, has a speed limit of 55 mph, while Verstappen, on the other hand, was driving at 73 mph. The Dutch driver also wore headphones, which clearly indicated how loud the car was.
Max Verstappen driving Aston Martin Valkyrie 🥶 What’s his next side quest? pic.twitter.com/65yj9r3lZF
— F1 TROLL (@f1trollofficial) August 19, 2023
Verstappen could be involved in serious legal issues with the French authorities if they had investigated the video, as claimed by Nice Martin. He has also faced backlash from spectators due to his irresponsible behaviour as a public figure. Some claimed that the three-time World Champion has been “endangering the lives of others” due to his lack of safety, posing a bad example for the young drivers.
Do you think Verstappen should have been allowed to drive the Mercedes car? Let us know in the comment section below.
