Max Verstappen disclosed that the idea for his ‘Franz Hermann’ alias originated from his GT3 car operator, Emil Frey Racing, while the actual name was chosen by Verstappen himself. This alter-ego first appeared during a GT3 testing session at the Nürburgring and was later used again at Spa-Francorchamps. The initial test stirred rumors of Verstappen setting a new lap record, which he later confirmed by sharing his lap times publicly. This new identity also opened avenues for merchandising linked to the reigning four-time Formula 1 World Champion.
Setting a New GT3 Lap Record at the Nürburgring
In May, Verstappen tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nürburgring, where he was participating on behalf of his own team, Verstappen.com Racing, which is set to compete in the endurance rounds of the GT World Challenge Europe series in 2025. The car is managed by Emil Frey Racing as part of the upcoming campaign. During this test, Verstappen chose not to race under his real name but instead competed as ‘Franz Hermann’. The name was a suggestion from the Emil Frey team, who gave Verstappen the option to use a pseudonym. Reflecting on this, Verstappen said,
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So I was like, ‘You know what, let’s make it really German. Franz Hermann. That sounds good.’
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—Max Verstappen
This masked identity helped Verstappen to focus on his performance while maintaining some anonymity during the test runs.
Breaking the GT3 Lap Record on the VLN Layout
The previous GT3 lap record for the VLN configuration at Nürburgring—which combines the famous Nordschleife and the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit—stood at 7 minutes 49.578 seconds. Verstappen succeeded in surpassing this mark during his test runs. In his own account, he detailed the progression of lap times:
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So first lap out was a 7:56 on the VLN layout,
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he explained, noting that the existing pole time was around 7 minutes 51 seconds.
He added that his initial runs were done with a full fuel load to simulate race conditions and multiple laps in succession. His second timed lap was a 7:54, followed by a brief stint where a sim driver took over. Verstappen returned for another run with fresh tires, recording a 7:48, beating the standing lap record comfortably.
Speaking about the driving experience, Verstappen emphasized his comfort in the car, attributing it to extensive simulator practice:
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The car was also really nice to drive, but I felt comfortable just because I did already like thousands of laps on the simulator.
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—Max Verstappen
Implications for Verstappen’s Future Racing Calendar
Verstappen’s successful test and lap record underscore his expanding involvement in GT racing alongside his Formula 1 career. His entry into the GT World Challenge Europe with Verstappen.com Racing underlines ambitions beyond single-seaters, taking advantage of his driving skill and simulator familiarity. Meanwhile, in the current F1 season, Verstappen faces a tough challenge to secure a fifth consecutive World Championship, trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 81 points with 11 races remaining.
This dual commitment highlights Verstappen’s versatility as a driver and could influence his racing strategy and preparation in the coming years, especially as he works to maintain dominance in Formula 1 while pursuing success in GT racing.
