Earlier this month, Max Verstappen hopped into a Ferrari 296 GT3 to take part in the Nurburgring Endurance Series test. However, the four-time F1 champion chose to race under a pseudonym – Franz Hermann. Verstappen explained that he chose the name because it was the most German alias he could think of, with the intention of keeping his name off the entry list and kept his test appearance low-key. At the end of his test, the Dutchman had broken the lap record.
The Red Bull Racing driver was asked as to why he chosen to race under the Franz Hermann title instead of his own name. The Dutch driver shared that he came up with the name randomly. His choice allowed for a peaceful start to his Nurburgring testing session.
“They asked me for a fake name, so I said let’s make it as German as we can,” Verstappen said.
“Then you’re not on the entry list. Otherwise people woke up at 8am knowing that my name is on it; I knew that once I was there that people would realise. It’s normal. But at least I wasn’t on the entry list. So at least at 8, 9am it was pretty calm.”
Why was Max Verstappen at the Nurburgring Testing session?
Max Verstappen borrowed the Ferrari of the Emil Frey Racing team, who employs his protege Thierry Vermeulen. The F1 champion shared that he participated in the test to help out the Swiss organization in their goal to eventually take part in the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Verstappen admitted to also wanting to take part in the event at some point in the future.
“With Emil Frey as well, they weren’t there before, so for them also the dream is to do 24 hours there,” the Dutchman added.
“I would like to do that in the future. That’s why I’m doing all these things to prepare a bit, get a bit of experience. So, you don’t need to do that in the future.”
Max Verstappen broke the GT3 lap record of 7m 49.578s at the end of his test. Norwegian driver Christian Krognes had set the record in November 2022. But, the Dutchman never intended on it.
“I was [faster than the NLS GT3 lap record], but I’m not there to show that I can break a lap record or whatever record. I was just having fun and learning the track together with the team.” [Quotes via Motorsport.com]
The F1 driver admitted to having completed “thousands” of laps in a simulator before getting behind the wheel of the Ferrari 296 GT3.
Max Verstappen highlights goals for future GT3 Team and beyond
Max Verstappen’s testing at Nurburgring might just be the start of the Dutch driver’s eventual transition away from F1. The Dutch Lion has previously shared his goals of having his own racing team. Subsequently, the 24 Hour race at the German track might be one of the first events his outfit tackles. With Thierry Vermeulen, who is the son of the Dutchman’s manager, already a part of GT3, it’s only a matter of time.
“At the same time I was there with my sim driver that now turned into a real driver. Even for him also to get up to speed there, because eventually we all want to do that race as a team.” [via F1]
Currently, Max Verstappen holds third place in the drivers’ standings in the ongoing F1 season, with a points total of 136.
