Latest news with #EmilFreyRacing
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chris Lulham on learning from Max Verstappen's secret Nurburgring test
Last week, someone named "Franz Hermann" drew significant attention during a GT3 test at the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Behind this alias was none other than four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, who got behind the wheel of the Ferrari 296 GT3 from Swiss outfit Emil Frey Racing during an official Nurburgring Endurance Series test. The Red Bull F1 driver collaborates with Emil Frey Racing under the Racing banner and wanted to get some laps in on the "Green Hell" without attracting crowds of fans to the pit lane in the early morning. Advertisement He succeeded in keeping things quiet, but that also meant many quickly forgot that Verstappen wasn't the only one in the car that day. Chris Lulham, sim racer for Team Redline – Verstappen's sim racing team – was also present. He appeared in some photos, though remained anonymous throughout the ordeal. 'We shared the car all day,' Lulham said in an interview with at the GT World Challenge event in Zandvoort. 'I mainly drove in the afternoon – I think I did most of the laps then. It was an incredible experience driving that track for the first time. Nothing can really prepare you for it. 'I've done thousands of laps on the simulator and even won the 24-hour sim race there several times, but nothing compares to the real thing.' Advertisement Lulham has been competing with Team Redline for several years now, and not without success. The Brit has made a name for himself by winning major sim racing events, which this year earned him a seat in GT3 racing with Racing. Though he has some prior experience in karting and motorsport, sim racing was his path to the real racing world. 'It was a strange experience,' Lulham said about his Nurburgring test. 'In the afternoon, more people started showing up. I don't think many of them even realized I was in the car too…' Chris Lulham will make his debut in GT3 racing this year for Racing. Chris Lulham will make his debut in GT3 racing this year for Racing. SRO SRO Advertisement When it's pointed out that he was indeed visible in some of the photos, but the focus was mainly on "Franz," Lulham laughs. 'That's a shame, isn't it?' he said. 'But he was super helpful throughout the day. We had the live onboard feed in the truck, and he pointed out the little lines he had discovered. 'There are over a hundred corners on that track, so plenty of nuances to find. We helped each other with what we learned. It was a very productive day and the car was really fast.' While Verstappen's participation attracted most of the attention, the underlying purpose of the test was also a topic of discussion. According to Lulham, both drivers had a similar objective: to log miles on the Nordschleife and support the team. Advertisement 'It was the first time on the Nordschleife for both of us. And also about building a baseline for the team, as it was the first time the 296 had been run on that track,' Lulham explained. 'We both need to get a permit if we want to race there. That's still an open question.' Lulham confirmed that he does aspire to race in the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. To do that, drivers must go through a permit process. Those aiming to compete in powerful cars like GT3s or Porsche Cups must obtain permit A, which requires drivers to first attend a kind of 'school' covering the rules. Next, they must accumulate track time and participate in at least two races of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) in slower race cars. Lulham knows he needs to follow that path to make his dream a reality, which means doing those races in slower machinery. There's no guarantee he'll earn the permit this year, though. Advertisement 'There are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up to make that happen,' he said. 'I need to get that permit in the coming months if I want to race. For Max, it's a different story. He obviously has very limited time. Honestly, I don't know what his plans are. Hopefully, we can both race in the NLS by the end of the year.' Crucial Support Lulham spent several years karting and was even runner-up in the OKJ Karting Championship in 2017. Since then, he's raced in Formula 4 and the Radical Cup Championship, but thanks to support from Racing, he's now competing at the highest level of GT3 racing – the GT World Challenge Europe – in both sprint and endurance races. Advertisement Support from Racing and Verstappen himself has 'been crucial' to this rise through he ranks, he said. 'We had a long winter program that started late last year to prepare me for this season, and I think the results show that,' Lulham said. 'To get into the Ferrari for the first race and immediately qualify on the front row, just two hundredths off pole… That shows what's possible with the right preparation and the right people behind you.' #69 Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3: Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham #69 Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3: Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham SRO SRO Lulham was surprised that he was immediately quick and able to run at the front. During the winter program, he could already track his progress, supported by reference points from team-mate Thierry Vermeulen – son of Max's manager Raymond Vermeulen – and Verstappen himself. Advertisement 'I could see my own improvements, so I already knew what I was capable of going into the first races,' Lulham said. 'But being aware of it is one thing – executing under pressure in a race weekend, with limited laps, is another. You're thrown straight into qualifying, and that might be your first run on a new set of tires. You have to maximize what you've got in that moment. Did I expect it? I expected I was capable, but to actually pull it off immediately? Probably not.' The adventure with Racing is still in its early stages, but Lulham is very satisfied with the support so far. 'The Racing family is a big one, with many influential people backing me and my career,' Lulham said. Advertisement 'You always feel the support, but you also feel the pressure – so it's a double-edged sword. But it's been a fantastic start.' Very Similar Lulham was surprised by some aspects of transitioning from sim racing to real-world motorsport. Not so much the driving itself, but more the level of aggression on track compared to sim races. 'I expected it to be aggressive, but this level… Of course, you're racing at the top of international GT competition, so everyone is here to win, fighting for every position.' He also had to adapt to the many variables in real-world racing. 'In the simulator, you don't deal with so many variables affecting every moment of the race,' he added. Advertisement 'That's probably the biggest thing I had to adjust to. Then there's the physical side, whereas I was very mentally trained for the sim. I'd say the mental aspects are very similar, as are the techniques used. That's probably why I could jump in with so much confidence.' #69 Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3: Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham #69 Emil Frey Racing, Ferrari 296 GT3: Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham SRO SRO One thing sim racing can't really teach, according to Lulham, is wheel-to-wheel racing. 'You understand the technique behind it, but actually doing it – putting your body and the car on the line – that's a whole different story,' Lulham added. Sim racers are often accused of making reckless moves they wouldn't dare attempt in real life, knowing the real-world consequences. Still, Lulham thinks GT3 racing has surprised him in this area. Advertisement 'To be honest, I'd say that the professional level of sim racing is cleaner than the professional level in the real world,' he said. 'You'd expect the opposite, with all the money involved, but that's not the case.' It's become a trend for sim racers to make the leap to real motorsport – and often, they perform well. But does real-world experience feed back into his sim racing? 'It helps in the sense that you work with skilled engineers during real race weekends – people who've been in the sport for years,' Lulham said. 'You learn lots of small details you might miss as a sim racer, and you start thinking differently. In terms of lap time, it probably doesn't help, because the techniques you use in a real car differ. But I'm confident I'll still be competitive in sim races this year.' Very Helpful In the GT World Challenge, Lulham is teamed up with Vermeulen, who has built solid GT3 experience in DTM and GTWC in recent years. They haven't done many races together yet, but Lulham is happy with the partnership so far. Advertisement 'He's very helpful,' he said. 'With his years of experience in a GT3 car, he can point out things I wouldn't have even thought about. In pre-season, there are so many little things – how the Pirelli tires work, how to warm them up, which curbs to use or avoid, which lines to take. 'At first, I wasn't even aware of some of these, but someone like Thierry sees them and helps me. He's really guided me well over the past few months toward becoming a professional driver.' Chris Lulham enjoys working with Thierry Vermeulen. Chris Lulham enjoys working with Thierry Vermeulen. SRO SRO In a GT class where the car is shared, it's also a big advantage if both drivers are evenly matched and, so far, this is going well for Lulham. Advertisement 'During pre-season, we were always very close. Sometimes I was faster, sometimes he was. But the gaps were always small,' the Briton said. 'That's been the case in every race, like the endurance race at Paul Ricard and the sprint at Brands Hatch. You can't really prepare for experiences like your first races and race starts. So it's great to have someone like Thierry by your side.' Together with Vermeulen, Lulham wants to make a big impression in the Gold Cup class of the GT World Challenge. The rookie even believes a top-three finish overall is possible. The pair is currently in 10th, but at Brands Hatch – where they won the Gold Cup – an outright victory didn't seem far off. Read Also: Who is Franz Hermann? Max Verstappen shares details of Nurburgring GT3 test Red Bull: Max Verstappen's focus has to be on F1 after Nurburgring test Advertisement 'I'd love to win the Gold Cup in both Sprint and Endurance,' Lulham said of his ambitions. 'That's the main goal. In Sprint, I don't see why we couldn't finish in the top five, top four, or hopefully even top three. Every race has its own challenges, and we'll have highs and lows – we already have. Long-term, we're still early in my first season, so I don't know where this journey will go yet. I can't say anything for certain, but I'd love to make a career out of this.' To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's why Haas banned its F1 drivers from copying Max Verstappen's GT3 test
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen provoked rampant intrigue in the motorsport community last weekend when he drove a Ferrari – of all things – in a test at the Nurburgring Norschleife. Now, Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has put his foot down and says his team's driver's won't be following the Red Bull racer's example. Verstappen took advantage of the gap between the F1 Miami GP and this weekend's Emilia-Romagna GP to have some fun under the pseudonym 'Franz Hermann.' Under the guise, he tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nurburgring, raising a few eyebrows in the process. Advertisement The Ferrari 296 GT3 was run by Emil Frey Racing, which operates Verstappen's own team in the GT World Challenge, and was bedecked in Verstappen's livery, so it didn't remain secret for long. But the clandestine nature of the initial entry, and rumours that Verstappen broke the lap record, nevertheless created more than a small ripple of interest. But while it is believed to be enshrined in Verstappen's contract that he is allowed such hobbies, other drivers are less fortunate. 'No,' was Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu's unequivocal response when asked if he would permit Oliver Bearman or Esteban Ocon to follow suit. 'Step by step,' Komatsu told ahead of the Imola GP. 'Max is a multiple world champion, right? Oli is a rookie. Max Verstappen, Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 496 GT3 Max Verstappen, Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 496 GT3 Max Verstappen Max Verstappen Advertisement 'Even Esteban, he's got still lots to prove. He's focused. What's the benefit of them racing in another race? 'I think they're pretty lucky that they're driving an F1 car for their job. That's lots of fun, I think. 'Honestly, it's busy enough, really. You know, in between these 24 races – it's not like we haven't got enough races, right? – they need to look after their physical condition, mental condition. 'In between, they have to work with engineers, simulators. It's not like they're sitting at home thinking about what to do. So, I think they've got plenty on their hands.' Advertisement Engaging in extracurricular racing also has its risks. As Verstappen pointed out during his test, he had the benefit of hundreds of hours of sim racing in his spare time, so had the necessary experience of managing the presence of slower cars and knowing where to pass. And he was in the right car. 'It's definitely more dangerous for me to sit in a slower car and be dependent on the faster cars,' Verstappen said during his Thursday media session at Imola. While F1 drivers in previous decades raced every weekend, often in a broad variety of categories – Jim Clark was as fluent and spectacular in a Lotus Cortina as he was in a Lotus grand prix car – the nature of motor racing has changed. Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Fernando Alonso, Andretti Autosport Honda Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Fernando Alonso, Andretti Autosport Honda Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images Advertisement The F1 calendar has expanded, its drivers have become more professional and they no longer need the money that, say, sportscar racing would bring. What's more, contracts and branding concerns militate against driving cars from different manufacturers. In the modern era, some drivers have been able to negotiate racing in other categories into their contracts, but the fate of Robert Kubica looms large. Among the most promising drivers of his generation, he was hurling a Skoda Fabia Super 2000 car around the hills of Liguria in the 2011 Ronde di Andora rally when he speared off the road and a guardrail penetrated the cabin, partially severing his right hand. Fernando Alonso had enough contractual weight for McLaren to excuse him from the 2017 Monaco GP so he could contest the Indy 500, but even that would probably not have come to pass had Bernie Ecclestone still been pulling F1's strings at the time. In 2015, the Canadian Grand Prix did not clash with the Le Mans 24 Hours and Nico Hulkenberg took advantage of this to race for Porsche in the legendary enduro. Since he raced with Force India at the time, there were no manufacturer clashes to act as obstacles. Advertisement But when Hulkenberg returned to the F1 paddock in Austria, widely feted as a Le Mans winner, there were ructions at the top. Ecclestone found all the attention directed towards the world of sportscars and the then-new World Endurance Championship commercially vexatious and bothersome. As such, Hulkenberg was duly summoned to the 'Bernie Bus', instructed to put a sock in it, and emerged from the smoked-glass environs of Ecclestone's cloister with rather less of a spring in his step. Head here to stay up to speed with the latest F1 Imola Grand Prix news, expert analysis, photos and videos. Read Also: Who is Franz Hermann? Max Verstappen shares details of Nurburgring GT3 test Esteban Ocon hails "best quali of the year" as Haas hunts points in F1 Miami GP To read more articles visit our website.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Max Verstappen slammed for ‘incredibly dangerous' decision ahead of F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by Ralf Schumacher
MAX VERSTAPPEN has been blasted for his "incredibly dangerous" decision to race under a secret identity at one of motorsport's deadliest circuits. The reigning world champion went incognito last week to test a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the official session ahead of the third round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). 4 4 4 Racing under the name, Franz Hermann, he was seen running with the Emil Frey Racing team, who employ Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen 's manager, Raymond. However, Verstappen - who celebrated becoming a dad before the Miami Grand Prix - has been slammed by former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher for racing at such a dangerous track. The German ace gave his view on the Dutchman's appearance while on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, saying: "If I had been the team principal, I'd have asked Verstappen if he's still all there. "To do something like that on the Nordschleife of all places is not very smart. I know, for many, it's a viewpoint they don't want to hear, but I find the Nordschleife incredibly dangerous. "That's just the way it is, especially at this level and at these speeds." The Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of the most deadly circuits not only in F1, but in motorsport history. The Nordschleife - which at 12.9 miles is the longest permanent racetrack in the world - was dubbed the "green hell" by Sir Jackie Stewart, while there are estimated to have been at least 70 reported deaths there. Three-time F1 champion Niki Lauda suffered severe burns during a terrifying crash at the track in 1976, which had come after he had protested the race going ahead on safety grounds. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Recalling his time on the circuit, Schumacher said: "I then think back to when DTM races were banned here because those cars were going too fast, but today's GT3 cars are also insanely fast and everything happens neck-and-neck. "Something happens faster than you think. Doing this somewhere else, okay, but for most people the Nordschleife still represents the biggest challenge." Following the test there, Verstappen will now be focused on the Emilia Romagna GP. The 27-year-old trails by 32 points to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Red Bull have brought a major upgrade package to Imola including a dramatic overhaul of the sidepod design as F1 kicks off a European triple-header of races. Speaking to media before the race, Verstappen said: "The team has been working really hard, and we will need to hit the ground running. "Imola is a really old school and iconic track that is really technical, and I always enjoy racing here. "It is difficult to overtake, so qualifying will be key here." Verstappen has won each of the last three races at the track dating back to 2021, with the 2023 race not being held due to floods in the region surrounding the circuit.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen Has Been Spotted Testing at the Nürburgring
Four-time and reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been spotted testing a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The test is not Verstappen's first in a sports car, but the appearance at the 'Ring is particularly interesting with a 24-hour race scheduled at the track in just six weeks. Verstappen is testing a Ferrari GT3 car operated by DTM team Emil Frey Racing, SportsCar365 reports. The choice of partner is unusual, because the Red Bull driver's Verstappen dot com Racing team fields an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 rather than a Ferrari. That program is aligned with 2 Seas Motorsport, not Emil Frey Racing. Chris Lulham, one of the drivers running for Verstappen dot com Racing, was reportedly also present at the test. Photos of the Ferrari show that it has been wrapped in the same same Verstappen dot com Racing livery used on his team's Aston Martin racers. A name above the door suggests that Verstappen is running under the pseudonym "Franz Hermann," making him at least the second major automotive figure to run at the 'Ring under an assumed name. Former Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda once actually entered the Nürburgring 24 under the name "Morizo." Verstappen has previously tested sports cars, most notably an IMSA-spec Acura prototype last year. What makes this test different is the location. Not only is the Nürburgring Nordschleife one of the most iconic racing tracks on Earth, it is also home to the second-biggest 24-hour race in Europe. Verstappen told Road & Track last offseason that he plans to run some sports car races, including the 24-hour races at Daytona and Le Mans, later in his career. Could that start with an early run at the 'Ring? The 2025 24 Hours of Nürburgring is set for June 21. That is notably an off week for Formula 1, although an opening in the schedule is not necessarily enough to guarantee Verstappen's surprise entry in a major sports car race. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
F1 champion Max Verstappen uses fake name to go incognito driving for rival team in test session
MAX VERSTAPPEN went undercover and used a FAKE NAME to test out a Ferrari this week. The Red Bull F1 star's best attempts to remain icognito saw him take on the fake name of Franz Herman. 4 4 4 Verstappen tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the official session ahead of the third round of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS). The F1 world champion was running with the Emil Frey Racing team, who employ Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen's manager, Raymond. The 27-year-old's fake name was on display on the car along with the Dutch flag. But it was clear to onlookers that Verstappen was behind the wheel as the car was decked out with his livery. The Dutchman also wore his own trademark F1 helmet and race suit that included his real name. Verstappen also had security guards present during the session, while photographers were barred from inside the garage. He is reportedly planning to get a Nordschleife permit, which would allow him to officially race around the iconic German circuit. Verstappen said last year: "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.' 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 four-time F1 champion has made no secret of his goal to switch to endurance racing following the end of his F1 career. 10 Years of Max Verstappen documentary trailer announced its racing programme earlier this year and it includes the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance championship with 24 Hours of Spa, in an Aston Martin Vantage. He is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 campaign, but speculation over his future continues. Verstappen will be back in F1 action at the Imola Grand Prix in Italy next weekend. He finished in fourth place at the previous race in Miami, just days after becoming a dad for the first time. Verstappen is currently third in the drivers' championship, behind McLaren's Oscar Pisatri and Lando Norris. He has won the World Drivers' Championship for four straight seasons between 2021 to 2024. 4
