F1 World Champion Max Verstappen Denied AMG GT Rental Car

Three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen was recently denied from renting a supercar by Sixt for the most surprising reasons.

On a recent family holiday in Portugal, three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen was DENIED from driving a supercar that he and his entourage had planned on renting. The reason behind this denial is far from what you’d probably expect…

Verstappen, fresh from dominating the 2023 F1 season with his Oracle Red Bull Racing team, was reportedly headed to the famed Portimao circuit in Portugal’s renowned Algarve region with his entourage of family and friends for a two-day track driving jaunt earlier this month.

At Faro airport, Verstappen’s entourage had planned to rent a fleet of 20 cars from renowned car rental firm Sixt. However, the Dutchman was shocked to find out that the company denied his request to rent a supercar he had chosen from its fleet – reportedly a Mercedes-AMG GT.

Verstappen had reportedly planned to rent a Mercedes-AMG GT supercar whilst on holiday in Portugal with family and friends. Note: Latest-gen Mercedes-AMG GT pictured.

The reason for this denial, surprisingly, didn’t stem from any of the Dutchman’s perceived animosity towards the three-point star badge – he and his Oracle Red Bull Racing outfit often hold fierce on-track rivalry with said German marque’s F1 racing outfit, especially throughout the contentious 2021 season.

Astonishingly, Sixt denied Verstappen the Mercedes-AMG GT supercar rental on the grounds of the Dutchman’s age. Apparently, Sixt’s insurance policy for select performance or luxury cars from its fleet requires drivers to be at the age of at least 30 years old. Verstappen is just 26 years old.

Sadly, these were the rules, and though Verstappen was initially shocked, the Dutchman eventually obliged and reportedly accepted a switch to a more ‘modest’ BMW 5 Series offered by Sixt. The Mercedes-AMG GT that Verstappen initially wanted to rent eventually ended up in the hands of his manager Raymond Vermeulen instead.

Apparently, rental car company Sixt denied Verstappen the chance to rent the AMG GT in Portugal because he was "too young" to rent said car based on the company's insurance policy.

Despite being very young at just 26 years old, Max Verstappen has clinched three F1 world titles in a row with his Oracle Red Bull Racing outfit.

“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,” said a Sixt spokesperson to press members when enquired about the incident.

The spokesperson added that Sixt had apologised to Verstappen over the matter and that the firm holds “no doubt at all about his driving skills and his experience with powerful cars.” The firm notes that Verstappen is still allowed to rent the cars he wants from them at any time.

It just goes to show that even as a triple world champion racing driver, you’re not exempted from certain rules and regulations in the real world. Should Sixt have made a special exception for Verstappen though? Hit the comments below – and our social media pages – with you take on this…