Max Verstappen made waves across the motorsport world this week by testing a Ferrari 296 GT3 at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, operated by Emil Frey Racing and featuring full Red Bull Racing and Verstappen.com Racing livery. Just as intriguing: the reigning Formula 1 World Champion attempted to fly under the radar using the pseudonym “Franz Hermann.”
It didn’t work, but it made the story even better.
Red Bull Power Meets Ferrari Engineering
On paper, the image of Max Verstappen behind the wheel of a Ferrari would raise eyebrows. In reality, this test was a clever fusion of three powerful motorsport forces: Ferrari’s GT3 technology, Red Bull’s branding muscle, and Verstappen’s personal racing ambitions. The Red Bull livery on a Ferrari shell wasn’t a contradiction, it was a statement of independence. It showed Verstappen’s growing footprint beyond Formula 1, blurring the lines between teams, manufacturers, and disciplines.
This is part of a larger strategy that’s becoming clear: Verstappen is cultivating Verstappen.com Racing as more than a vanity brand. It’s evolving into a platform for projects that bridge Formula 1 and endurance racing, and bring Red Bull’s influence into new racing categories. Seeing their F1 star headlining GT3 machinery also helps Red Bull extend its presence in motorsport culture, not just competition.
“Franz Hermann” Doesn’t Last Long
Verstappen’s use of the alias “Franz Hermann” to enter the test was a fun, if short-lived, attempt at anonymity. But fans at the Nordschleife quickly pieced together who was really in the driver’s seat. Helmet or not, Verstappen’s presence was unmistakable, and once the footage spread online, the joke took on a life of its own.
The pseudonym gave rise to a flurry of in-jokes and mock praise online, but there’s a deeper insight here: even when attempting to stay low-profile, Verstappen commands attention. The alias only reinforced his mythology, a reminder that he’s a racer first, and a celebrity second, willing to take on the Green Hell just for the thrill.
The Nürburgring Test Was No Stunt
Verstappen didn’t just pose for photos, he properly tested the Ferrari 296 GT3 around one of the world’s most dangerous circuits. The Nordschleife, with its 20.8 km of elevation changes, blind corners, and treacherous weather, is not a place for passive laps. Verstappen was pushing.
This wasn’t a marketing activation. It was a real test. Watching Verstappen handle a mid-engine GT car through the unforgiving sections of Hatzenbach and Pflanzgarten suggested not just interest, but competence. It was a reminder that his racing IQ and mechanical adaptability go far beyond the world of open-wheel machines.
Setting the Stage for Le Mans
Verstappen has openly spoken about wanting to race at Le Mans, and this test adds fuel to that fire. The Ferrari 296 GT3 represents the kind of car that could serve as a gateway to longer-form endurance racing. This outing felt like a test bed, not just of the car, but of Verstappen’s own rhythm and comfort in endurance-oriented machinery.
He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone, but if he is preparing for a multi-discipline future, outings like this are a logical and strategic step.
Verstappen.com Racing: From Personal Brand to Motorsport Platform
This test wasn’t just about a car, it was about a motorsport brand in the making. Verstappen.com Racing, now featuring Red Bull-backed GT3 efforts, is beginning to look like more than a logo. It’s a modular racing effort, one that could evolve into a serious player in GT, endurance, or even prototype categories. Having Verstappen’s name on the side of a Red Bull-liveried Ferrari isn’t just ironic, it’s aspirational.
It shows how much freedom Verstappen has carved out for himself. Few athletes can move this fluidly between disciplines without corporate complications. He’s building something unique.
Final Thoughts
Verstappen’s Nürburgring test in a Red Bull-liveried Ferrari 296 GT3, under the name Franz Hermann, was part prank, part performance, and full-on racing ambition. It wasn’t just a fun headline. It was a signal: even at the top of Formula 1, Verstappen is still pushing for new challenges.
Whether or not he ends up racing in the NLS, GT World Challenge, or Le Mans, one thing is certain: he’s not done surprising us. And when he does it, he’ll probably sign in as Franz.