Fans Roast Max Verstappen After He Tried Hiding as 'Franz Hermann' During Ferrari Test at Nordschleife
Max Verstappen may be a four-time Formula 1 world champion, but even he couldn't stay hidden for long at the Nurburgring.
This week, Verstappen quietly joined the official Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) test, slipping behind the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3. But instead of his usual branding, his car bore the name 'Franz Hermann' — a clear attempt to stay under the radar on the legendary Nordschleife.
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It didn't work.
Fan quickly pieced it together thanks to the Verstappen.com Racing livery on the car and his unmistakable helmet design. 'Bro logged into his alt account today,' one fan joked as the internet lit up with memes and reactions. Another quipped , 'Wdym? I thought Franz was driving.'
Max Verstappen during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
After the cat was fully out of the bag, Verstappen leaned in and confirmed his presence himself, posting, 'Having fun at the Nordschleife, Verstappen.com Racing.' Cue the roasting.
'Where's Franz Hermann then!?' one fan asked, while another joined the fun with: 'Glad to see this sim racer get a chance on a real track.' Someone also summed up the mood perfectly: 'Why are you posting photos of Franz Hermann?'
This stealth test wasn't just for laughs. Verstappen has long hinted at his desire to compete at the Nordschleife and is actively working toward the required permit. It's another step toward broadening his racing resume beyond Formula 1, with his GT3 testing and involvement in endurance events pointing toward future ambitions.
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But even when he's trying to go incognito, Verstappen can't help but go viral. As one fan perfectly put it: 'Max keeping it quiet…'
Expect him back in F1 action next at Imola — though don't be surprised if 'Franz Hermann' makes another appearance somewhere down the line.
Related: Max Verstappen Reveals the Surprising Story Behind Naming His Daughter Lily
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