Max Verstappen, the four-time World Champion, has launched exclusive merchandise celebrating his GT3 testing pseudonym, ‘Franz Hermann.’ This follows his discreet test drive at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, where he adopted this alias while behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3. The Dutch driver’s website now offers collectors a pair of scale model cars, commemorating this unique chapter in his motorsport career.
The Story Behind Verstappen’s ‘Franz Hermann’ Persona and GT3 Testing
Verstappen’s covert appearance at the Nordschleife under the name ‘Franz Hermann’ coincided with his testing of the Ferrari 296 GT3. He is currently managing his own racing outfit, Verstappen.com Racing, which competes in the endurance rounds of the GT World Challenge Europe series. The alias originated during this period and has taken on a life of its own, especially following another GT3 test Verstappen completed recently at Spa-Francorchamps.
To mark these events, Verstappen’s official site is offering two Ferrari 296 GT3 scale models, featuring the ‘Franz Hermann’ branding worn by the driver during his tests. These models serve as unusual memorabilia, capturing the moment when an unexpected figure arrived to test a GT3 car.
Details on Available Franz Hermann Model Cars
The collectible models come in two scales, 1:43 and 1:18, and are now open for pre-orders. Despite their premium pricing, starting at £97.99, each model is a limited and numbered edition. Fans can expect deliveries in November 2025. These items provide enthusiasts with a tangible connection to Verstappen’s secretive GT3 exploration phase.
Verstappen’s Future Plans for GT3 and Endurance Racing
When asked about potential future visits to the Nurburgring, Verstappen responded cautiously:
Not for now. [I’m] thinking about it, seeing whenever it’s possible.
—Max Verstappen, Driver
Rumors indicate that Verstappen aims to participate in the Nurburgring 24 Hours race, an endeavor that requires earning a ‘Ring Licence’ by completing two lower-category events at the Nordschleife. The next qualification race is scheduled for August 16, which coincides with the Formula 1 summer break, making it a feasible target for Verstappen.
Additionally, sources suggest the Dutch driver might seek to race in the 24 Hours of Spa, the most prestigious GT3 event on the calendar, potentially in 2026. This year’s Spa race conflicts with the Austrian Grand Prix, making participation impossible in 2024.
Verstappen recently achieved an FIA Platinum driver rating, an important classification for endurance racing. Reflecting on the process of obtaining this, he noted:
I have to do it at some point, so I [had] better get it out of the way. I mean, it’s super easy. It’s just a form that you fill in and you pay and a week later you have the answer. I was secretly hoping for a Bronze rating! I might appeal the Platinum and get Silver at least.
—Max Verstappen, Driver
Regarding the use of the pseudonym, Verstappen explained:
They asked me for a fake name, so I said let’s make it as German as possible,
and added,
I knew that, once I was there, that people would realise, but at least I wasn’t on the entry list, so at least at 8am/9am it was pretty calm.
—Max Verstappen, Driver
He also humorously mentioned the growing attention around ‘Franz Hermann’ in a social media video, saying:
Franz is actually having a lot of contract offers at the moment, so he’s actually negotiating his terms for the Nordschleife.
—Max Verstappen, Driver
Significance of Verstappen’s GT3 Endeavours and Merchandise Release
The launch of Max Verstappen’s Franz Hermann GT3 merchandise highlights a new, reflective phase in his racing career, where he explores endurance and GT3 racing alongside his Formula 1 commitments. The limited-edition scale models capture not only a collector’s interest but also symbolize Verstappen’s discreet entry into endurance racing under an alias, emphasizing his willingness to diversify his motorsport portfolio.
As Verstappen targets high-profile endurance races like the Nurburgring 24 and the 24 Hours of Spa, his involvement could attract significant attention to GT3 racing. His Platinum driver status and secretive testing hint at serious ambitions beyond F1, potentially influencing the crossover appeal between single-seater and endurance racing fans.
