Max Verstappen’s passion for racing knows no bounds. While his love for sim racing during his downtime from Formula 1 is well known, the Dutchman has recently dipped into real-life GT3 racing. With a newborn at home, perhaps he also wanted a brief escape.
Last weekend, Verstappen was spotted at the Nürburgring testing a Ferrari 296 GT3, using the alias “Franz Hermann” in an attempt to keep a low profile. However, the car’s unmistakable Verstappen.com livery from its GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup appearances made his presence anything but subtle.
According to reports from DailySportsCar.com, Verstappen posted a best lap time of 7 minutes and 56 seconds during the test. Remarkably, this was just five seconds off the GT3 pole time from the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie’s first round this year, despite traffic on the track. Unsurprisingly, Verstappen’s pace was blistering.
Does this suggest the 27-year-old is eyeing a future in GT3 racing, perhaps in the Nürburgring 24 Hours or an NLS event? Or was this just a fun way to spend a rare weekend off from Formula 1? Whatever the case, it’s undeniably cool.
Verstappen’s performance left a lasting impression on Nürburgring expert Misha Charoudin, who shared his thoughts on the Dutch driver’s audacity. Charoudin summed it up humorously, saying, “Bro shows up. Does a lap record with full tank and traffic. Refuses to elaborate. Leaves.”
Even under his pseudonym, Verstappen couldn’t go unnoticed. Crowds swarmed the track to catch a glimpse of him in action, turning what was supposed to be a low-key test into a spectacle. Speaking on the RacingNews365 podcast, fellow racer Tom Coronel described the scene as a “madhouse,” with journalists and fans flocking to the Nürburgring once word got out.
“I even received emails from people advising Max on the best way to approach the Nordschleife,” Coronel revealed. “But obviously, Max isn’t going to attend a classroom session before driving the track.”
Reports also emerged that Verstappen is interested in competing in GT3 racing but lacks the necessary permit. While he was able to test the car on Friday, he would need a DMSB license to compete in NLS events. Acquiring the permit involves completing a specific course and racing in two events totaling 14 laps in a car with power comparable to a detuned Porsche Cayman. Despite being a four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Verstappen would need to meet these prerequisites to join official races at the Nürburgring.