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Why Max Verstappen has been test driving in a Ferrari under a fake name between F1 races
Max Verstappen has jumped behind the wheel of a Ferrari, but Formula 1 fans shouldn’t be worried about Lewis Hamilton’s future yet. Red Bull’s former head of operations recently claimed the Dutchman could replace the seven-time world champion at the Scuderia. Verstappen and Hamilton’s careers will forever be intrinsically linkedGetty Verstappen went undercover for a secret Nordschleife Ferrari testAvalon.red Verstappen has since showcased his fondness for Ferrari after taking part in a GT3 test at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Unlike many F1 drivers who use their downtime between races to get away from the track, the Belgian-born star relishes being in a car. The reigning champion competed in every session of the Miami Grand Prix just days after becoming a father. Not content with relaxing during the brief window before the next F1 event, Red Bull’s No.1 driver is still pushing the limits at 170 mph. Verstappen, who is also a dominant force in virtual motorsports, used a pseudonym to go undercover and drive a Ferrari 296. He participated in an official test session of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) ahead of its third round. Verstappen was running with the Emil Frey Racing team, who employ Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen’s manager, Raymond. His appearance was due to be kept quiet, with his car having the pseudonym ‘Franz Hermann’ and the Dutch flag on the side. Verstappen also had security guards present during the session, while photographers were barred from inside the garage. However, Verstappen’s cover was blown after his real name was spotted on his trademark race helmet and overalls. Verstappen flew to the Nurburgring track after the Miami GPAvalon.red The F1 champion is no stranger to getting behind the wheel of endurance carsAvalon.red Verstappen is said to be planning to get a Nordschleife permit, which would allow him to officially race around the iconic Nurburgring. “The Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of my absolute favourite race tracks, and I hope that in a few years, I can also compete here with a real GT3,” he said last year. This is not the first time Verstappen has got behind the wheel of a GT3 car, as he fields his own team in the GT World Challenge. The vehicle, which is decked out in Verstappen.com Racing livery, seated the eponymous driver for several private tests. Verstappen has made no secret of his goal to switch to endurance racing following the end of his F1 career, which is currently in doubt. He is under contract with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2028 campaign, but speculation over his future continues to rage on. Verstappen’s car bore the pseudonym ‘Franz Hermann’Avalon.red ‘Franz Hermann’ will have to wait if he wants to partner Charles LeclercGetty The 27-year-old has become increasingly frustrated with his team’s regression since dominating both F1 championships in 2023. Red Bull finished third in last year’s constructors’ championship, with Verstappen just retaining his title despite a 10-race winless streak. A fifth successive triumph looks increasingly unlikely, with the reigning champion already 32 points off the top, having won just one of the opening six Grands Prix. Verstappen has an early exit clause in his contract that could activate as early as this summer if Red Bull continues to underperform. The long-time Mercedes target, who has regularly said his priority is to be in a race-winning car, has also been linked with McLaren. Verstappen recently corroborated McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s claim that he held discussions with his manager, Vermeulen. “Yes, but I think that didn’t last long,” he told Viaplay. “When he knew how much he would have to pay, it was over immediately.” Pressed on how much was ‘much’, Verstappen chuckled: “A lot!”
Max Verstappen has jumped behind the wheel of a Ferrari, but Formula 1 fans shouldn’t be worried about Lewis Hamilton’s future yet.
Red Bull’s former head of operations recently claimed the Dutchman could replace the seven-time world champion at the Scuderia.
Verstappen has since showcased his fondness for Ferrari after taking part in a GT3 test at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany.
Unlike many F1 drivers who use their downtime between races to get away from the track, the Belgian-born star relishes being in a car.
The reigning champion competed in every session of the Miami Grand Prix just days after becoming a father.
Not content with relaxing during the brief window before the next F1 event, Red Bull’s No.1 driver is still pushing the limits at 170 mph.
Verstappen, who is also a dominant force in virtual motorsports, used a pseudonym to go undercover and drive a Ferrari 296.
He participated in an official test session of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) ahead of its third round.
Verstappen was running with the Emil Frey Racing team, who employ Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen’s manager, Raymond.
His appearance was due to be kept quiet, with his car having the pseudonym ‘Franz Hermann’ and the Dutch flag on the side.
Verstappen also had security guards present during the session, while photographers were barred from inside the garage.
However, Verstappen’s cover was blown after his real name was spotted on his trademark race helmet and overalls.
Verstappen is said to be planning to get a Nordschleife permit, which would allow him to officially race around the iconic Nurburgring.
“The Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of my absolute favourite race tracks, and I hope that in a few years, I can also compete here with a real GT3,” he said last year.
This is not the first time Verstappen has got behind the wheel of a GT3 car, as he fields his own team in the GT World Challenge.
The vehicle, which is decked out in Verstappen.com Racing livery, seated the eponymous driver for several private tests.
Verstappen has made no secret of his goal to switch to endurance racing following the end of his F1 career, which is currently in doubt.
He is under contract with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2028 campaign, but speculation over his future continues to rage on.
The 27-year-old has become increasingly frustrated with his team’s regression since dominating both F1 championships in 2023.
Red Bull finished third in last year’s constructors’ championship, with Verstappen just retaining his title despite a 10-race winless streak.
A fifth successive triumph looks increasingly unlikely, with the reigning champion already 32 points off the top, having won just one of the opening six Grands Prix.
Verstappen has an early exit clause in his contract that could activate as early as this summer if Red Bull continues to underperform.
The long-time Mercedes target, who has regularly said his priority is to be in a race-winning car, has also been linked with McLaren.
Verstappen recently corroborated McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s claim that he held discussions with his manager, Vermeulen.
“Yes, but I think that didn’t last long,” he told Viaplay. “When he knew how much he would have to pay, it was over immediately.”
Pressed on how much was ‘much’, Verstappen chuckled: “A lot!”
