Max Verstappen spilled the beans on his GT3 test at Nurburgring’s Nordschleife, where he went incognito as “Franz Hermann” during an official Nurburgring Endurance Series test. The Dutch racing sensation took the wheel of Emil Frey Racing’s Ferrari 296 GT3, a car typically seen in the DTM series. Verstappen’s protege, Thierry Vermeulen, is also part of the team’s roster.
Whispers in the racing world hinted that Verstappen was quick right off the bat, and when asked if he had broken the NLS GT3 lap record set by Christian Krognes, the answer was a resounding yes. However, Verstappen clarified that his goal wasn’t to set records but to assist Emil Frey Racing in their potential future endeavors at Nurburgring and to familiarize himself with the track should he decide to take on the Nurburgring 24 Hours race.
Speaking about his alias, Verstappen shared, “They wanted a fake name, so I thought, let’s go full German with it.” The idea was to keep his real identity under wraps until he hit the track. Despite the secrecy, Verstappen knew that his cover wouldn’t last long once he started racing. Nevertheless, he managed to avoid being listed on the entry sheet, at least for the first few hours of the day.
The Red Bull Racing star expressed his enjoyment of the test session, emphasizing that breaking lap records wasn’t his main aim. He highlighted the importance of having fun and learning alongside the Emil Frey Racing team, who were also new to the Nordschleife. Verstappen’s passion for GT3 racing was evident as he discussed his plans to gain more experience in the category throughout the year.
To compete on the Nordschleife, Verstappen would need to obtain a DMSB Permit, a process that might require him to progress through various racing categories unless special exceptions are made. Despite the challenges, Verstappen’s dedication to mastering the track was evident, having completed countless laps on the simulator prior to his real-life experience at Nurburgring.
Reflecting on his time at Nordschleife, Verstappen admitted that while the adrenaline rush of Formula 1 still held a special place in his heart, he had a great time testing the GT3 car. Navigating through traffic and adapting to the new track conditions were part of the learning curve, but Verstappen approached the challenge with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
In the end, Verstappen’s Nurburgring test was not just about setting records or proving his skills; it was a stepping stone towards his goal of competing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours and expanding his racing horizons beyond Formula 1. As he continues to hone his skills in the GT3 category, one thing is clear – Max Verstappen’s passion for racing knows no bounds.
