In a thrilling twist away from the glitz of Formula 1, Max Verstappen recently indulged in a covert excursion on the Nurburgring’s challenging Nordschleife circuit. Disguised under the alias ‘Franz Hermann’, this escapade saw him zooming around in a Ferrari 296 GT3, embodying the spirit of a secret agent on wheels.
Known for his relentless passion for racing, it’s no surprise that Verstappen would leap at the chance to test his skills outside the well-trodden path of F1. His latest adventure took place amidst the heart-stirring corners of the Nurburgring, as he participated in test sessions as part of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). Behind the wheel under a pseudonym, his identity went incognito, but the keen eye of AMuS observed the unmistakable Verstappen name on his gear, a clever nod to his true identity.
Verstappen’s involvement in the world of GT3 isn’t without precedent. In fact, his Verstappen.com team regularly competes in the GT World Challenge. This was not just a casual test though, as he was very much in the public eye alongside other racers preparing for the NLS’s third round. The Dutch driver was working with Emil Frey Racing, a team that also boasts the talents of Thierry Vermeulen—the son of Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen.
The future certainly holds myriad possibilities for Verstappen’s racing career beyond Formula 1, a fact he hasn’t been shy about expressing. Max has often voiced his aspirations to venture into endurance racing, noting the contrasting dynamic it offers compared to F1. In a candid reflection on his future ambitions, he shared, “Once you’ve done so many years in F1, you don’t want to do this forever right? You can’t unfortunately. But I definitely want to do endurance at some point.”
Such a shift in gear would not be unexpected. Verstappen comes from a pedigree of race car drivers—his mother, Sophie Kumpen, was a skilled karter, while his father, Jos Verstappen, made his mark in F1 and has since ventured into rallying.
Thus, it seems almost inevitable that Max Verstappen will continue to blaze trails in the racing world, exploring the broader horizons of motorsport that beckon. Racing fans and insiders alike watch with keen interest to see what new arenas this dynamic driver will conquer next.
Max Verstappen’s clandestine stint at the Nurburgring under the guise of ‘Franz Hermann’ stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to the craft of racing. As he hints at future endeavors beyond F1, the racing world anticipates his next thrilling chapter with bated breath, eager to witness the feats this extraordinary talent will achieve. His story is far from over, and each turn of the wheel promises new and exciting adventures.
