Max Verstappen as Franz Hermann Breaks Record
The test was part of an official Nurburgring Endurance Series event, and Verstappen was at the track to support his protégé, 22-year-old racer Thierry Vermeulen. The experience has given Verstappen valuable insight into the challenges of the Nurburgring circuit, and he will likely apply this knowledge to his future racing endeavors.
Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, driving under the alias "Franz Hermann", broke the track record for a GT3 car at the Nurburgring circuit, although the official timing was not disclosed. Verstappen participated in a sports car test, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3, and expressed his desire to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hours in the future.
Verstappen chose to use an alias to keep crowd sizes manageable, as the event organizers asked him to do so. He hopes to fit the necessary testing into his F1 schedule to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hours. Verstappen expressed concerns about the safety of current F1 cars at the Nordschleife, citing the risk of high-speed crashes and the cars' stiffness and low ground clearance.
Verstappen described his experience as "fantastic" and confirmed that his lap was faster than the previous record. He downplayed the significance of the lap time, stating that he was focused on learning the track and having fun rather than setting a record. Verstappen's background in sim racing helped him navigate the notorious 14-mile circuit, but noted that there were still differences between the simulator and real-life conditions.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has stated that his drivers will not be permitted to participate in other racing series outside of Formula 1, citing the busy schedule of F1 drivers and contracts and branding concerns. This decision is in contrast to Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who recently tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nurburgring, sparking intrigue in the motorsport community.
Verstappen's participation in the sports car test has sparked interest in the motorsport community, and his desire to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hours in the future has raised questions about the potential for F1 drivers to participate in other racing series. As the F1 calendar continues to expand, it will be interesting to see how teams and drivers balance their schedules and pursue other racing interests.