Why is Max Verstappen Called Franz H…read more
Formula 1 fans were left scratching their heads when the official F1 social media account posted timing sheets from the Imola Grand Prix practice session, only to find Max Verstappen’s name mysteriously absent. Instead, a new driver appeared on the list—Franz Hermann—who had seemingly made his debut by finishing seventh in the session. Naturally, this sparked confusion and curiosity, especially as fans noticed Verstappen’s apparent absence despite him being very much present on track.
The truth behind the name swap is far less dramatic than a sudden driver replacement in the ever-chaotic Red Bull Racing team. It turns out that “Franz Hermann” is none other than Max Verstappen himself, using a pseudonym as a cheeky nod to a recent low-profile racing venture. The alias originates from a private GT3 test Verstappen took part in at Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit just days before the Imola GP weekend. There, Verstappen tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 car as part of a potential future racing project, but did so under the name Franz Hermann to keep his participation under wraps.
The secretive nature of the event was no accident. Verstappen’s test at the Nordschleife was held away from the spotlight, with strict privacy measures in place. Personal security guarded the area, and media access was heavily restricted—no outside photographers were permitted. The move suggests that Verstappen was not only testing the waters of GT3 racing but was also laying the groundwork for a future competitive appearance in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). The Dutchman, now 27 years old, has competed in virtual NLS events before and has expressed his admiration for the iconic track. During a previous virtual event, Verstappen said, “The Nürburgring Nordschleife is one of my absolute favourite race tracks, and I hope that in a few years I can also compete here with a real GT3.”
Verstappen’s presence at the Nordschleife was more than a casual outing—it was a step toward obtaining an official Nordschleife permit. This permit would allow him to race competitively in GT3 cars at the circuit, a goal he appears eager to achieve as he explores new challenges outside the world of Formula 1.
When asked at Imola about the origins of the pseudonym “Franz Hermann,” Verstappen gave a typically light-hearted explanation. “They asked me for a fake name, so I said let’s make it as German as we can,” he told reporters, confirming the name was simply a fun invention for the low-key test. But what began as a playful alias quickly took on a life of its own—thanks to Verstappen’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Capitalizing on the unexpected buzz around the name, Verstappen and his lifestyle brand Verstappen.com launched a line of Franz Hermann-themed merchandise. The clothing line includes t-shirts and sweaters, with Max himself modeling the new pieces under his alter ego’s identity. The tongue-in-cheek marketing move quickly proved a success—the merchandise sold out shortly after launch, driven by fans eager to own a piece of the inside joke. Due to overwhelming demand, the brand released additional limited-edition items, ensuring more fans could get their hands on the Franz Hermann gear.
In the end, while Verstappen’s results at Imola were less than stellar—finishing seventh in FP1 and fifth in FP2—the story of Franz Hermann added some levity to the weekend. Whether or not the Dutch champion ends up racing under his pseudonym in a future GT3 race, one thing is clear: Franz Hermann is here to stay—at least in the merch aisle.
