Max Verstappen tried to avoid publicity as he tested a GT3 car at the Nurburgring in the gap between Miami and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Predictably, he was unsuccessful.
The German press revealed that Verstappen had used the alias ‘Franz Hermann’ to enter the GT3 session at the iconic Nordschleife. While he banned cameras from the garage, eyewitnesses saw his name on his helmet and overalls.
Verstappen wants to obtain a permit to race at the Nurburgring 24 Hours next month. It takes place on the weekend between the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix (21-22 June), so shouldn’t interfere with his F1 title bid.
Martin Brundle reckons Verstappen hasn’t ‘stopped grinning’ since he tackled the circuit. It was a reminder, he said, that the fastest racing isn’t necessarily the best.
The Red Bull superstar is looking to match Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive titles this year. But he’s shown little interest in continuing with F1 deep into his 30s, which could give him time to pursue other racing series instead.
Max Verstappen delights F1 fans with Franz Hermann ‘contract offers’ joke
As Verstappen arrived at Imola for this weekend’s race, Red Bull’s social media admin poked fun at him for using a fake name. The 27-year-old took the joke in good spirits.
“Are you Max or are you Franz?” they asked
Verstappen replied: “Franz is actually having a lot of contract offers at the moment, so he’s actually negotiating his terms for the Nordschleife.”
F1 fans thought Verstappen’s response was hilarious. One replied, ‘We love Franz and his sense of humour’.
“This is actually genuinely funny!” another wrote. “Without trying, Max has really grown on me the last year
“He’s taking the multiple personality game to the next level,” a separate comment read.
One even called Verstappen the funniest driver on the grid, declaring that ‘nobody beats him’.
The 64-time race winner was also described as a ‘legend’, while a Reddit user said, ‘This whole thing is so damn funny’.
Max Verstappen’s performance in GT3 test was exactly what you’d expect
Verstappen arguably has a greater passion for racing than any other F1 driver. That’s why he competes in virtual events even when he’s not on the track.
He’s also shown that he can be rapid in a closed-cockpit format. Verstappen improved at a superhuman rate when he previously drove a GT3 car to offer a reference for Thierry Vermeulen, who represents his eponymous team.
According to Timo Glock, Verstappen was producing ‘top’ lap times almost instantly at the Nurburgring this month. That will come as a surprise to no one.
Verstappen has looked increasingly disgruntled in recent times, showing little enthusiasm in media appearances. If he ever decided to walk away from F1, he could well dominate in another discipline.
