Max Verstappen Goes Incognito as ‘Franz Hermann’ in Mysterious GT3 F…..read more
Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen has once again blurred the lines between his elite F1 commitments and his passion for racing outside the Grand Prix calendar. In an unexpected twist, the reigning World Champion recently took part in a GT3 test session at Germany’s iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife—but not under his real name. Disguised under the alias “Franz Hermann” and accompanied by a Dutch flag, Verstappen took to the track in a Ferrari 296 GT3, raising eyebrows and fueling intrigue across the motorsport world.
While some Formula 1 drivers prefer to unwind away from the adrenaline-pumping world of racing during their downtime, Verstappen proves to be a rare exception. The Dutch driver has made no secret of his love for all forms of motorsport, often spending his time engaged in high-level sim racing or participating in real-world racing events far beyond the confines of Formula 1.
His latest off-track venture unfolded during a test and setup session for the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), Germany’s renowned endurance racing series. Despite the subtle attempt to keep his identity under wraps, eagle-eyed observers from Auto Motor und Sport (AMuS) noticed the name “Max Verstappen” printed on his helmet and overalls, giving away the true identity of the mysterious “Franz Hermann.”
Although this isn’t Verstappen’s first experience behind the wheel of a GT3 machine—he’s been involved in several private test sessions before—this appearance was notably more public. The test took place ahead of the third round of the NLS championship, with numerous other drivers also in attendance. Verstappen joined the Emil Frey Racing team for the session, a squad that includes Thierry Vermeulen, the son of Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s long-time manager.
Verstappen’s growing interest in GT racing continues to suggest that his passion for motorsport extends well beyond Formula 1. His involvement in the GT World Challenge through his personal racing project, Verstappen.com Racing, has been ongoing for some time, showing a clear trajectory toward a future that could involve competitive endurance racing.
The Red Bull driver has previously indicated that his Formula 1 career might not last as long as some of his peers. Back in 2022, Verstappen remarked that he likely wouldn’t be racing in F1 into his 40s like Fernando Alonso. Instead, he expressed a desire to explore other forms of motorsport, particularly endurance racing. “Definitely not [Alonso’s age]! Not in Formula 1, who knows what else,” Verstappen said at the time. “But I definitely want to do endurance at some point. Maybe still a few more years, two or three years before I want to do that.”
Those sentiments were echoed again in 2023 when Verstappen hinted that his days in F1 might be numbered sooner than many expect. His recent GT3 outing under a pseudonym only adds fuel to the speculation that he’s already laying the groundwork for the next chapter in his racing career.
Whether it’s in the cockpit of a Red Bull RB20 or behind the wheel of a Ferrari GT3 machine, Max Verstappen’s relentless drive to race shows no signs of slowing down—even if he occasionally prefers to fly under the radar.
