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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
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement It didn't work. Fan quickly pieced it together thanks to the 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 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, 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. Advertisement 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
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
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Max Verstappen goes incognito in GT3 car test during F1 break, say reports
Max Verstappen thought of making good use of the break between the Miami Grand Prix and the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix scheduled for next weekend by heading to race in a different car race recently. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Several reports claim that the driver took part in a GT3 car race under a different name, and photographers were not allowed at the event. The Red Bull driver has a team in his own name and was there to try his hand in the race. Max Verstappen tries his hand at the GT3 car race According to a report in Express, Max Verstappen drove his own Ferrari 296 GT3 car, modified to resemble the livery of his team, Racing. His race name, 'Franz Hermann,' reportedly featured on the car, but his real name was visible on his suit and helmet. He tried his hand at the wheel ahead of the third round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Series (NLS) at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. The reigning Formula 1 world champion's team, named Racing, entered the GT World Challenge Europe series with Thierry Vermeulen, Chris Lulham, and Harry King as the drivers taking part in the race in their Aston Martin Vantage AMR machines. Reports indicate he was there to help out the Swiss racing team named Emil Frey Racing with their planning for the GT3 races. According to the report, Verstappen is trying to obtain the Nordschleife permit, which is required to race in the NLS races and the 24-hour event held at the circuit around May or June. Coming to Formula 1, Verstappen has been struggling to get the most out of his Red Bull car. He managed to win the Japanese Grand Prix but has been falling short of clinching victory in the other races. While Oscar Piastri seems to be too fast in his McLaren, Verstappen has also been facing issues with his Red Bull. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He is currently in the number 3 position in the F1 Driver Standings with 99 points. Also Read: ' Verstappen is also spending most of his free time with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet and their newborn daughter, Lily. She was born during the Miami Grand Prix on May 2.
Muscat Daily
13-04-2025
- Automotive
- Muscat Daily
Al Zubair flies Omani flag high at Paul Ricard
Paul Ricard, France – Al Faisal al Zubair made a strong start to the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup powered by AWS, proudly raising the Omani flag on the podium after securing third place in the Gold Cup category and an impressive 10th overall at the six-hour season opener at Paul Ricard. Racing with Al Manar Racing by Team WRT, Al Faisal, alongside teammates Jens Klingmann and Ben Tuck, delivered a standout performance that sets the tone for a strong season ahead. After qualifying their BMW M4 GT3 EVO in sixth place, the trio gradually moved through the field and looked set to finish second until Racing's Harry King made a late pass on the BMW and snatched the runner-up spot behind the triumphant CSA Racing McLaren of Arthur Rougier, James Kell and Simon Gachet. Al Zubair said: 'I'm proud to raise Oman's flag on the podium again. I think finishing 10th overall and third in class on our first time together in GT World Challenge Europe is something we should be proud of. I am happy with how the car performed. We struggled quite a bit in qualifying, but making it into the top 10 and being the third BMW to finish is great. It's a good sign for the rest of the season. Thanks to the team!' The Garage 59 McLaren hit the front of the overall race heading into the second hour and Ben Tuck retained sixth place and was running around a lap behind the leading driver Dean McDonald. Al Manar Racing by Team WRT climbed to fifth soon after and maintained fifth through the 2.5-hour mark. The Garage 59 McLaren continued to lead the Gold Cup category into three and a half hours of the race, but had slipped to fourth in the overall classification, as the Al Manar Racing by Team WRT BMW remained in fifth. The leading McLaren hit trouble in the next segment and, with 90 minutes of the race to run, the CSA Racing McLaren led the Gold Cup category and canny strategies had seen Tuck, Klingmann and Al-Zubair climb to second place. With 30 minutes of the race remaining, Al Manar Racing by Team WRT retained second place only to be overtaken late on by the Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO. Al Manar Racing by Team WRT now switches its attention to the opening round of the Sprint series at Brands Hatch in England on May 3rd-4th.
