Latest news with #Ferrari296GT3
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen offended as fellow drivers question Nurburgring record
When news broke from Imola on Thursday that Max Verstappen had set a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record testing a GT3 Ferrari a week earlier, the reaction was a mix of astonishment and scepticism. Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD. Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD. Alexander Trienitz Alexander Trienitz Advertisement On Saturday evening at Imola, Verstappen openly admitted that Engel's tweet had hurt him: 'That was a stupid comment. I went there to have fun and just drive my laps. I [was] just there to learn.' 'Then the record comes out of course, and it's as if other drivers feel attacked. I'm just enjoying myself, and then you get that kind of unnecessary comment, which I find totally pointless.' Usually, Verstappen clarified, such things wouldn't bother him. But in Engel's case, it did. 'I know him. So yeah, then I think, 'It's probably better not to say anything.' But I happened to come across it in my feed. Normally you don't see that, but I've met him a few times in Monaco. I have a lot of respect for everyone in the GT3 world, and then I think, 'This is just unnecessary.'' Advertisement The official NLS lap record is 7m49.578s, set during in November 2022 by Christian Krognes in a BMW M4 GT3. Verstappen reportedly smashed this record almost effortlessly. Eyewitnesses reported that the Formula 1 star at one point made such a spectacular overtaking move on the outside of Hatzenbach corner that it was 'almost hard to believe' that he was using the official NLS BoP. Max Verstappen, Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 496 GT3 Max Verstappen, Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 496 GT3 Max Verstappen Max Verstappen David Perel, who was also participating in the test with a Ferrari 296 GT3, shared on social media that he had followed 'Franz' for a few laps. He noted that Verstappen could 'be a great driver if he takes it seriously', but immediately added: 'But also… he had plenty of power and top speed.' Advertisement For Verstappen, such comments have come across as an insult to his pride. When asked at Imola if it was true that he had been faster than the lap record, he simply replied: 'I was, yeah.' And when pressed on whether he had really used the official NLS BoP, he replied: 'Of course. Otherwise it would be a bit silly to drive there.' Verstappen Ferrari 296 GT3 was fielded by Emil Frey Racing (EFR) in the colors of his own GT racing brand, Jurg Flach, technical director and operations manager at EFR, described Verstappen's morning pace as 'incredible', adding that in the afternoon he was 'a bit slower – perhaps due to traffic'. Advertisement Flach explicitly confirmed that Verstappen used 'exactly' the BoP settings prescribed for an NLS race weekend. As for the fuel load, he mentioned that there was 'a good amount' in the tank since 'we never run empty.' It is believed that there were about 60 to 70 kilograms of fuel on board. Max Verstappen, Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 496 GT3 Max Verstappen, Emil Fray Racing Ferrari 496 GT3 Max Verstappen Max Verstappen Engel, in a phone call with sister publication quipped with a smile on his face: 'Max is welcome to come to a race and prove it under real race conditions.' While 27-year-old Verstappen had never physically driven on the Nordschleife before, he already knew the track from the simulator. Advertisement 'I've done thousands of laps around there,' he said. 'So for me, when I got there in real life, it was more knowing the grip level. You know, the new tarmac in places. And then the grip level of the car. And of course a few barriers here and there are modified a bit.' This was not Verstappen's first test in an EFR Ferrari either. Back in 2023, he tested for the team at Mugello. 'He got into the car and was immediately fast,' Flach remembers. 'One lap to get a feel, and then he was off. When you see him, it's no wonder he's already a four-time world champion. The way he nails the times is impressive.' The Nurburgring 24 Hours, which is the showpiece of the NLS series, is high on Verstappen's bucket list: 'Yeah, I would like to do that in the future. That's why I'm doing all these things to prepare a bit. You know, get a bit of experience. So you don't need to do that in the future.' Advertisement Red Bull team boss Christian Horner made it clear at Imola that Verstappen's focus needed to remain on his main job despite such outings. Verstappen also said in Italy that leaving Red Bull for 2026 was 'not my intention at the moment'. Read Also: Red Bull: Max Verstappen's focus has to be on F1 after Nurburgring test Max Verstappen intends to stay at Red Bull… 'unless strange things happen' What is certain is that Verstappen is serious about the 24-hour race. He is already in talks with the DMSB body, which issues the so-called 'permit' required to compete. Typically, the permit for the GT3 top class is only granted if a driver has completed at least two flawless NLS races in lower classes. Advertisement The likelihood that Verstappen would be granted a special exemption is considered low. Not even motorcycle superstar Valentino Rossi had this privilege to race on the Nordschleife in 2023. It's quite possible that Verstappen will soon be back at the Nordschleife to compete in the NLS. 'Franz Hermann' might even participate in two races to earn the permit and dispel any accusations that the red carpet was rolled out for him while others had to meet stricter requirements. The speculation about how impressive Verstappen's unofficial lap record really was will likely continue until he proves under comparable race conditions that he can also win in the GT3 on the Nordschleife. And for those who know Verstappen, it's clear: that day will surely come sooner or later. Additional reporting by Filip Cleeren, Sven Haidinger and Heiko Stritzke Photos from Imola GP - Race Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Alexandra Saint Mleux and Leo Leclerc Alexandra Saint Mleux and Leo Leclerc Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Franco Colapinto, Alpine Franco Colapinto, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine George Russell, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Carlos Sainz, Williams Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine George Russell, Mercedes, Pierre Gasly, Alpine Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Simone Susinna Simone Susinna Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Thierry Boutsen drives his Arrows A8 for the F1 car presentation Thierry Boutsen drives his Arrows A8 for the F1 car presentation Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Ferrari Ferrari Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Fans Fans Ferrari Ferrari Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Valentino Rossi poses for a photo Valentino Rossi poses for a photo Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Alexander Albon, Williams Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Alexander Albon, Williams Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Alexander Albon, Williams Alexander Albon, Williams Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Red Bull Content Pool Red Bull Content Pool Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lars Baron / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Lars Baron / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Alexander Albon, Williams Alexander Albon, Williams Lars Baron / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Lars Baron / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Peter Fox / Getty Images Peter Fox / Getty Images To read more articles visit our website.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Mahaveer takes dominant victory in race 2 of Italian GT Sprint C'ship
Italy: India's Mahaveer Raghunathan delivered a spectacular performance in Race 2 of the Italian GT Sprint Championship, claiming a commanding P1 overall finish for AF Corse in the #51 Ferrari 296 GT3, shared with teammate Lorenzo Ferrari. This follows their strong P2 finish in Race 1, making it a double podium weekend and a statement of intent for the 2025 season. Starting from pole position, Lorenzo Ferrari led the field into Turn 1 but dropped to second early in his stint. He held the position with a consistent pace before handing the car over to Mahaveer at the pit window. A smooth and well-executed pit stop allowed Mahaveer to jump into the lead, capitalising on a delay from the leading car during their stop. From there, Mahaveer put in a commanding drive, stretching out a gap over the chasing pack with relentless pace and focus. He brought the car home 5 seconds clear of the competition to claim a well-deserved overall race win. Mahaveer Raghunathan shared, 'Lorenzo started the race from P1 but lost the lead at the start and stayed in P2 through his stint. During the pit stop, we were able to gain time and jump into the lead. From there, I just focused on clean, consistent laps and was able to pull away. Really proud to bring it home with a P1 overall finish for the team.' He added, 'Big thanks to my whole team for a fantastic strategy and a great car throughout the weekend.' Following the double podium at Vallelunga, Mahaveer Raghunathan now leads the GT3 Pro-Am Championship standings in P1 and holds P2 in the overall Italian GT Sprint Championship. Born in Chennai, the 26-year-old Mahaveer Raghunathan has come through the ranks. He has tested the Formula 1 race car twice, for Alfa Romeo Racing C38 in August 2021, becoming the third Indian to drive a Formula One car. Two years later, he tested a McLaren MCL35 at Portimão, completing a distance of 750 km over two days of testing with the prestigious McLaren F1 team.
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.
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Max Verstappen left offended by fellow drivers as F1 star's record questioned
The lap record at the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife was unofficially broken by Max Verstappen last week but the Red Bull F1 racer's achievement was called into question on social media Max Verstappen fumed after the veracity of his exploits at the Nurburgring on his week off were called into question. The Dutchman raised eyebrows before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by heading to Germany for some GT testing at the famous circuit. Verstappen went undercover to drive at the Nurburgring, adopting the pseudonym 'Franz Hermann' for the sake of the test. He drove a Ferrari 296 GT3 and, it soon emerged, set a new lap record for that type of racing machine – though that claim was soon called into question. Some experienced GT racers also got involved in what turned out to be quite the argument on social media. And that included Maro Engel, who races in the German DTM series and claimed that Verstappen had not been running with a proper Nurburgring Endurance Series set-up on the car. The implication was that Verstappen had been able to go faster because of a set-up which made the car more performant than it would be in an proper race in that series. But Verstappen was quick to snap back at that claim. "False. Don't spread things when you don't know how the car was set up and our engine settings. Why would I join a NLS track day with the wrong BOP?" he wrote on X. And Engel responded: "Seems like paddock chat was incorrect then." He could have just ignored all the noise, but it seems to have annoyed the Red Bull driver. Regarding Engel's social media accusation, he told journalists at Imola: "That was a stupid comment. I went there to have fun and just drive my laps. I [was] just there to learn. "Then the record comes out of course, and it's as if other drivers feel attacked. I'm just enjoying myself, and then you get that kind of unnecessary comment, which I find totally pointless. "I know him [Engel]. So yeah, then I think, 'It's probably better not to say anything'. But I happened to come across it in my feed. Normally you don't see that, but I've met him a few times in Monaco. I have a lot of respect for everyone in the GT3 world, and then I think, 'This is just unnecessary'." Article continues below And he insisted that he had indeed been using the correct set-up on the car. "Of course. Otherwise it would be a bit silly to drive there," he said. Verstappen went on to confirm that he had gone quicker than the official Nurburgring Endurance Series lap record at the famous circuit of seven minutes and 49.578 seconds, set in 2022 by Christian Krognes. But, because it was a test, that record still stands as the four-time F1 champion's laps were unofficial. Verstappen had never driver on the Nordschleife in person before that test, but it was not an unfamiliar track for the Dutchman regardless. "I've done thousands of laps there [in the simulator]," he said. "When I got there in real life, it was really just a matter of finding out the grip level. I already knew everything else."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Christian Horner Makes Revealing Comments After Max Verstappen's Recent Actions
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner shared his thoughts on star driver Max Verstappen trying his hand in different categories. The four-time Formula 1 champion surprised plenty of fans when he tried to hide under the name "Franz Hermann" to join the official Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) test. The Dutchman drove the Ferrari 296 GT3 for the test at the legendary Nordschleife last Friday. The pseudonym didn't work since a couple of signs exposed Verstappen. The Racing livery on the car and helmet design helped fans identify him. Advertisement The Red Bull star then revealed he was behind the wheel of the Ferrari 296 GT3 with a series of pictures on X. 'Having fun at the Nordschleife, Racing," he wrote. Max Verstappen during the 2025 Miami Grand Navarro-Imagn Images Verstappen is back in his natural habitat, as he tries to claim his second win of the season at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Horner was asked about his driver's recent adventures and he replied that the team tends to give freedom to their talent. Verstappen reportedly set a new lap record during his test, which could have opened a door for a future career in this category. That said, Horner added that he draws the line at the four-time champion missing a Formula 1 race. Advertisement 'He's not going to miss a race, that's for sure,' Horner said, per Sky Sports. 'The focus obviously has to be here on the day job. But I think it's great that he's so versatile. As Red Bull, we've always been slightly more relaxed than perhaps other teams in terms of the freedom that we've given our drivers. 'But it's finding that compromise, finding that balance. Obviously, the priority is here. But it's great that he's embracing all forms of motorsport.' Verstappen has been the only driver who has gotten in the middle of McLaren's dominance to start this season. He won the Japan Grand Prix, but has been inconsistent since that moment. This weekend's grand prix could be a good opportunity for him to go back to the top or watch the papayas increase their dominance over the competition. Related: F1 Imola Grand Prix 2025: Full Weekend Schedule, Dates, and Key Times
