09-05-2025
Max Verstappen Is Reportedly Testing at the Nürburgring in Secret
Four-time and reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has reportedly 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.
The report states 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.
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