Max Verstappen finds himself at the center of a fiery debate after a covert GT3 test run.
- The Red Bull driver, disguised as Franz Hermann, unofficially clocked a lap time at Nordschleife below record pace.
- Mercedes’ Marco Engel stirred the pot with claims about Verstappen’s Ferrari GT3 specs, which Max firmly disputed.
- Verstappen clarified his motivations were personal enjoyment and track experience, not record-breaking.
- The Dutch racer is eager to participate in the Nurburgring 24 Hours, seeing these tests as preparation.
Max Verstappen, cloaked under the pseudonym Franz Hermann, caused a stir with his recent test at the legendary Nordschleife circuit. His unofficial lap time matched the record pace, setting tongues wagging about what exactly transpired on the track.
The plot thickened when Marco Engel, a Mercedes DTM driver, shared what he portrayed as ‘facts’ relating to Verstappen’s Ferrari 296 GT3 specifications. Engel suggested that the car ran under DTM specifications, which include less weight and more power than the standard Nordschleife BoP settings.
In a swift rebuttal, Verstappen labeled these claims as ‘false,’ urging Engel and others not to spread inaccurate information about the car’s setup. Emphasizing the importance of context, Verstappen quipped back that he wouldn’t attend a Nordschleife track day with inappropriate configurations.
The motivation behind Verstappen’s drive was simple: personal enjoyment and preparation for future racing aspirations at the circuit. Verstappen highlighted that this foray was not about chasing records but mastering the track dynamics, aided by lucky sunny conditions that day.
Looking ahead, Verstappen expressed his enthusiasm for competing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours in the future. He stressed that these tests aligned with his private interests and wouldn’t conflict with his professional commitments at Red Bull. ‘It’s my passion,’ noted Verstappen, whose dedication was evident as he logged thousands of simulator laps to familiarize himself with the Nordschleife.
While critics like Ralf Schumacher questioned the prudence of testing at such a challenging venue, Verstappen remained unfazed. He underscored his meticulous preparation, balancing simulator sessions with real-life reconnaissance to grasp the track’s nuances fully.
Max Verstappen remains resolute in his racing endeavors, undeterred by external noise.
