Company Apologizes After Refusing To Rent Mercedes to Max Verstappen
F1Friday, 29 December 2023 at 01:00
The Sixt car rental company issued a response after refusing to lend Max Verstappen a Mercedes Amg GT car.
The 2023 season concluded on Sunday, the 26th of November, and we are well into the winter break already, with many F1 drivers enjoying free time with their families and friends.
Current Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen planned nice holidays with his family and friends in Algarve, Portugal, a few days before heading to Brazil for Christmas.
According to The Sun, the plan was reportedly to rent 20 cars from Sixt car rental company at Faro airport to take them for a swing at the privately booked Autodromo Internacional do Algarve racing circuit.
Verstappen wanted to take the Mercedes AMG GT, which is a two-door grand-tourer with 720 horsepower at 6900 RPM capable of achieving speeds of 195mph (313,822 km/h),
However, the Dutchman was rejected as, by the rules suggested driver at his age does not have enough experience to drive such a powerful car.
The triple F1 World had to settle for a BMW 5 series as a result. A spokesperson for the car rental company is reported as having 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."”
While the rules perscribe a driver his age should not be able to rent such a car, the spokesperson revealed there are instances in which an exception can be made and this was surely one of those.
“"However, there can be special circumstances that justify a deviation from rules. This is such a case. We apologize to Mr Verstappen. He can rent the car he wants from us at any time."”
After the spokesperson apologized to the triple F1 World Champion in the name of his company, he added there is not doubt about his driving capabilities.
“"There is of course, no doubt at all about his driving skills and his experience with powerful cars."”
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