Verstappen lookalike lands Dutch supermarket huge fine

Verstappen lookalike lands Dutch supermarket huge fine

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 25 April 2018 14:32

A Dutch supermarket has been ordered to pay Max Verstappen €150,000 after running an advert which featured a lookalike (in the loosest possible terms...) of the Formula 1 star. Supermarket Picnic ran an advert of the Verstappen-alike delivering groceries to customers while in Red bull overalls.

Not only was Verstappen's likeness borrowed, but Picnic also showed the imposter walking past a truck of a rival supermarket, Jumbo, who sponsor the three-time grand prix winner.

Article continues under video

It was an attempt at a light-hearted copy of a Jumbo advert which featured the real Verstappen doing the same, but officials did not see the funny side.

Verstappen had initially sought €400,000 in damages, but was awarded less than half - perhaps a reflection of just how bad the lookalike truly was.

Picnic said in a statement: "Our Facebook video was funny and meant only to motivate staff.

"As soon as we heard that Max did not like it, we took the video offline that same day."

You can judge for yourself if the punishment fitted the crime by watching the advert below.

Our personal highlight is the mid-shop pit-stop - a few of F1's teams could learn a thing or two from that...